When you decide to import a car from Germany, you must first obtain a Yellow license plate from the German government. Yellow license plates are only issued at designated locations in Germany. After you have obtained the license plate, you must clear the vehicle(s) through the customs office authorities before leaving the port. There are several steps to importing a car from Germany. You can also modify your vehicle to meet safety standards. However, you can try these out this will increase your overall import price. In some cases, you may have to return the car to Germany. This may cost you a great deal of money, and the car could be forfeited to Customs.
Germany Issues Yellow Plates in Specific Areas
In Germany, yellow plates can only be obtained at certain locations. You can find these places near bigger car dealerships and transport offices. These places are also where temporary registration books are issued. Before, you had to fill in a pink registration book when you were registering your car. This pink registration book was not compulsory, but it was a requirement for drivers who wanted to drive legally in Germany. After the car was registered, you could take it to the nearest city hall for de-registration.
Clearance of vehicles by German Customs
Imported cars in Germany must be registered with the local motor vehicle registration office and must pass a technical inspection for roadworthiness, safety, and emissions control. In addition, imported cars may require modifications to meet German regulations. German customs office authorities can help you navigate the process. These regulations vary depending on the country you are visiting, but they generally apply to vehicles that are brought from a foreign country.
Tax-free Import of a Motor Vehicle from Germany
To qualify for the duty-free import of a motor vehicle from Germany, the buyer must be the sole owner of the vehicle and live in Germany for a minimum of six months. He must also be a resident of the EU and the car must not have been driven more than 6.000 km. The motor vehicle must also be registered in his name in Germany within a year of arrival. In exceptional circumstances, these requirements may be waived.
Expensive
Compared to the USA, importing a car from Germany is more expensive than shipping one from another country. Not only is the import duties on imported cars higher, but the German government require that the vehicle be registered in Germany. In order to do this, you must have the car registered in Germany or have the registration document translated into German. You must also have a valid insurance policy and be prepared to pay additional import taxes. Buying a new car will also be more expensive than importing a used one, but you must consider the cost of import taxes and maintenance costs.
Conclusion
While importing a car from another country is generally quite simple, if you’re considering bringing a German vehicle to the US, there are several steps to consider. First, you’ll need to decide whether your car is eligible for importation. If so, you can use a registered importer to handle the paperwork and customs requirements. Depending on the model and make of your car, you may also need to modify it to meet German safety standards.