Answer

How do I register an imported car in Germany?

To register an imported car in Germany you need a Certificate of Conformity (COC) or a § 21 StVZO individual approval (Vollabnahme by TÜV/DEKRA), a valid HU inspection, and — for non-EU imports — customs clearance proof (Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung). The Zulassungsstelle then issues a fresh Erstzulassung with German plates.

What if the car has no COC?

You need a § 21 StVZO individual approval — TÜV or DEKRA physically inspects the car against StVZO standards. Costs €400–900 and takes 1–3 weeks. Common for US, Japanese and UK imports.

EU import: the short path

Deregister the car in the country of origin (or bring its registration document), collect the COC, get a German HU, then register at the Zulassungsstelle. VAT is only an issue for a car that counts as new — under 6 months old or under 6,000 km — in which case German VAT is due in Germany. Everything else is a normal registration with foreign paperwork.

Non-EU import: customs first

The car is cleared through customs before it can be registered: 10 % duty on the car's value plus 19 % import VAT, unless a relocation exemption (Übersiedlungsgut) applies. Customs issue the clearance document the Zulassungsstelle wants to see. Only after that do the technical steps — COC or § 21 approval, then HU — make sense.

Typical technical modifications for US and UK cars

US imports usually need European headlights, a rear fog lamp, an amber-free indicator setup and sometimes a speedometer in km/h. UK right-hand-drive cars need headlight beam adjustment and, depending on the model, a repositioned rear fog lamp. These are the items that decide whether the § 21 inspection passes at the first attempt.

What it costs with our service

The registration itself is our flat €500 setup plus €99 per month billed annually; a car arriving on foreign registration papers that has to be converted to German papers adds €400 once. Customs duty, VAT, the COC and any § 21 inspection are third-party costs and are billed at the actual amount.

EU vs non-EU import into Germany

Step	EU import	Non-EU import
Customs clearance	Not required	Required, 10 % duty + 19 % VAT
COC	Usually available	Often missing → § 21 approval
German HU	Required	Required
Technical changes	Rare	Lights, fog lamp, speedometer
Typical timeline	7–10 business days	10–15 business days or more
Our surcharge for foreign papers	€400 once	€400 once

FAQ

How long can I drive a foreign-plated car in Germany?

Up to 12 months for EU/EEA plates if you are not a German resident. Once you meet residency criteria, you have one month to re-register.

Do I pay German VAT on a used car from another EU country?

No, as long as it is not a "new" vehicle in the tax sense — under 6 months old or under 6,000 km. A genuinely new car is taxed in the country where it is registered, i.e. Germany.

Can I import a car older than 30 years more cheaply?

Classics can qualify for reduced import duty and, once registered, for H-Kennzeichen with flat-rate vehicle tax. The car has to be largely original and pass a classic-status assessment.

How do I move the car once it is in Germany?

On export plates from the country of origin, on German short-term plates, or by transporter. Storing it indoors near Berlin at €290 per month while the paperwork runs is the usual option for our clients.

Last updated: July 2026