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Japanese Used CarsImport regulations and customs dutiesGermany
Car import regulations and customs duties in Germany
  • Year Restriction

    No Age Limit



  • Steering wheel position

    Left-hand drive



  • Zielhafen

    Bremerhaven

  • Inspection

    Inspection:

    Technical Inspection (Fahrzeug-Hauptuntersuchung, common 'TUV') is required on vehicles imported in Germany.

    When registering a vehicle in the country, a Technical Inspection certificate is required.

    What exactly is examined at the TÜV?

    If you want to know exactly what will be checked during the main inspection, you can read the checklists of the test organizations such as TÜV Süd, TÜV Nord, or DEKRA online. Here is an extract from the catalog:


      General


    •   Does the vehicle identification number (chassis number) on the vehicle match that in the papers and is it easy to read?
    • Do the steering wheel lock and speedometer work?
    • Are the license plates legible, undamaged, and securely attached?
    • Are the prescribed accessories (first aid kit and warning triangle) on board and in good condition?

      

      Exhaust/noise


    • Is the exhaust tight and properly attached?
    • Is the vehicle sooty or does it emit blue smoke?

      

      Lighting


    • Are all the lamp housings undamaged and are all the lighting units working (headlights, taillights, parking lights, daytime running lights, brake lights, reversing lights, turn signals, fog lights, and rear lights (s), license plate lights)?
    • Are the headlight reflectors in order and not oxidized?

      

      Brake


    •   Are the brakes released?
    • Are hoses, lines, linings, and discs/drums intact?
    • Is the brake fluid not used up and is the brake fluid level correct?
    • Does the handbrake engage securely and is it easy to release again?

      

      Electrics


    • Do all indicator lights work?
    • Are there any error messages about the electronic vehicle dynamics systems?
    • Do the horn and heater fan work?
    • Are electrical connections tight and not oxidized?

      

      Chassis / drive


    • Are the sleeves on the steering, driveshafts, etc. intact?
    • Are the frames or load-bearing parts rusty?
    • Are the shock absorbers tight or does oil leak?
    • Are all fuel lines and hoses tight?

      

      Steering


    • Does the steering vibrate or rattle while driving?
    • Is the steering wheel in the correct position when driving straight ahead?
    • Is there no noticeable steering play?

      

      Wheel and tires


    • Do the tires still have a profile of at least 1.6 mm?
    • Did the tires run evenly?
    • Are the tire size and name entered in the vehicle documents?
    • Do the tires have no damage such as dents, cuts, or cracks?
    • Are the rims undamaged and securely attached?

      

      Panes / glass


    • Is the front screen undamaged?
    • Does the windscreen washer function and are windscreen wipers unused?
    • Are the rear-view mirrors intact and securely attached?
  • Year Restriction
    •  Purchase invoice or bill of sale (when the importer is the company please submit the EORI and VAT-ID)
    •  Shipping invoice unless the shipping cost is included in the purchase price
    •  Bills for other costs (e.g. commissions, transportation insurance, etc.) till the port of destination



    The owner needs to receive COC for an imported car. A certificate of Conformity or COC is an official document of a vehicle. This document contains 52 technical points and is available for almost every European vehicle that is built after 1996. The document has different names. The official term is a Certificate of Conformity, but it is also called a CVO or a birth certificate. Not to be mistaken for a Certificate of Origin, which has almost the same abbreviation (COO).

    Generally, the CoC is issued in 2-3 working days and sent to the address of the client by express courier for special cases the issue can take place with a few days of delay but in any case not later than 7-8 working days.




  • Duties and taxes

    A car or other motor vehicle imported to Germany from outside the EU is normally subject to a 10% import duty and a 19% import value-added tax. (The value-added tax on imports is called import turnover tax (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer).


    Vintage cars and collector's cars require only a 7% duty.



  • Year Restriction

    Documents required for registering the vehicle


    • Proof of identity and residence such as passport, and residence registration receipt.
    • Proof of ownership e.g. Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice.
    • Customs clearance certificate (Zollbescheinigung) stating payment of or exemption (Unbedenklichkeitsbe-scheinigung) of relevant taxes and duties.
    • Proof of liability insurance
    • TUV certificate
    • Insurance confirmation


  • NB

    Converting to German standards is also important. You have to have the headlights converted and adjusted for traffic in Germany. You must also be able to submit a correct emissions report for Japanese cars.



How to import a car from
Japan to Germany ?
  1. 01

    Step 1

    Forming a request to buy a car

  2. 02

    Step 2

    Selection of car at Japanese automobile auctions and stocks

  3. 03

    Step 3

    Making a deposit to participate in the auction

  4. 04

    Step 4

    The process of buying a car at a Japanese auction

  5. 05

    Step 5

    Car delivery from Japan

Contacts

Japan office +81-4-4874-0772

German office +49-177-5792807

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