Importing a car from the EU — you're on the right route
EU import: no customs, no § 21 individual inspection. You need a CoC, an eVB number and one appointment at the Zulassungsstelle. That's it.
✓ Verified: 15/08/2026
The EU single market works in your favour
A car from Austria, Poland or France is legally almost identical to a German one — it already has EU type approval. No customs, no special inspection. The whole process takes 1 to 3 weeks — most of that time is waiting for the Zulassungsstelle appointment.
Ukraine, Georgia, USA, Japan — these are third countries, not EU. The route is fundamentally different: customs clearance and a § 21 StVZO individual inspection. Don't start on the wrong route.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I'm bringing a car from Ukraine, Georgia or another non-EU country — is this the right route?▾
No. For vehicles from non-EU countries (Ukraine, Georgia, USA, Japan, etc.) the process is different: customs clearance and a § 21 StVZO individual inspection are required. Switch to the 'Car import from non-EU country' route — the link is below.
Which countries count as EU for the simplified import?▾
The 27 EU member states only. ⚠️ Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland are NOT included: they sit outside the EU customs union, so importing from there requires a customs declaration — use the 'Car import from a third country' route instead. The UK has been a third country since Brexit.
What does 'simplified' import actually mean?▾
Three key simplifications: (1) no customs duties — the vehicle is already in the EU single market; (2) no § 21 individual inspection — EU type approval is sufficient; (3) the CoC replaces the complex individual technical review.