Guide to importing a second-hand vehicle from outside the European Union
8 Apr 2024
If you have purchased or are thinking of buying a vehicle from outside the European Union and your intention is to sell it in Spain, this detailed guide will help you understand all the necessary steps to import and register it legally.
While importing a vehicle from outside the European Union is not a simple process, with the right information and effective planning, you can do it efficiently and enjoy your new vehicle safely and legally. This guide will provide you with all the necessary details to carry out this process successfully.
Table of contents
Prerequisites for import
Before starting the import process, it is important to keep in mind some prerequisites:
Get informed about the steps and payments to be made at customs: You can find all this information on the website of the Tax Agency. It is essential to know the procedures and associated costs before starting.
Verify that the vehicle complies with the European homologation certifications: If the vehicle does not have these certifications, you will have to go through additional procedures to register it.
Obtain the documentation that proves ownership of the vehicle: Make sure to have a copy of the sales contract signed by both parties or an invoice if you have purchased the vehicle from a company. This documentation is essential to demonstrate ownership of the vehicle.
Obtain the original documentation of the vehicle: If in the country of origin the circulation permit or the technical inspection card was withdrawn, you can replace them with photocopies certified by the competent authority or by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin or by its diplomatic representation in Spain.
Customs procedures and associated payments
To import a vehicle from outside the European Union legally, it must go through customs. There, you will have to pay the corresponding taxes and fees, and afterwards, they will give you the Single Administrative Document or DUA. This document is essential to comply with customs formalities.
The costs associated with the import will vary depending on the vehicle's country of origin, its initial price, and other factors such as tariffs, import taxes, and registration fees. In general, you will have to pay:
Tariff: 2.5% of the amount that appears on the invoice.
VAT: 21% of the amount that appears on the invoice.
It is important to keep the receipts for these payments, even if you have not had to pay them, as you may need them in the future. Some of these receipts may be the receipts for tax exemption.
European homologation certifications
In addition to customs procedures, the imported vehicle must comply with the European homologation certifications currently in force. This is fundamental, as if it does not have them, you will need to go through additional procedures to register it.
In some cases, it may even be impossible to register the vehicle in Spain if it does not meet the homologation requirements. For example, if it does not comply with emission regulations or does not have the European Certificate of Conformity (CoC).
It is crucial to verify that the vehicle meets these certifications before starting the import process, as otherwise you could face significant obstacles to its registration.
Necessary documentation for the vehicle
At the time of acquiring the vehicle, it is important to keep the documentation that proves ownership. This includes:
Sales contract signed by both parties: If the vehicle was purchased from a private individual.
Invoice: If you have purchased the vehicle from a company.
Original documentation of the vehicle: Circulation permit, technical inspection card, etc. If these documents were withdrawn in the country of origin, you can replace them with certified photocopies.
It is important to keep this documentation, as it will be necessary in the following steps of the import process. Without the appropriate documentation, it will not be possible to demonstrate ownership of the vehicle, and there will be problems with its registration.
Transporting the vehicle to Spain
Once you have acquired the vehicle and have all the necessary documentation, you need to decide how to transport it to Spain. There are several options:
Transport service: If the vehicle is purchased in a country of the European Union, you can use a transport service, which simplifies the process. Although it has an additional cost, it avoids having to drive the vehicle on the road.
Driving the vehicle on the road: If you decide to bring it by road by driving it yourself, you should keep in mind that in countries like Germany and Belgium, it is necessary to request a temporary license plate. In others, like France, you can use the vehicle's own license plate, but you will need to pay for insurance.
It is important to carefully assess the transport options and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. Remember that if you decide to drive the vehicle on the road, you must comply with the specific requirements of each country you transit through.
Homologation process in Spain
Before you can register the vehicle in Spain, it must go through a homologation process. Normally, the homologation certificate is provided by the vehicle manufacturer. However, if it is a used vehicle or one coming from a country outside the European Union, it will have to undergo a technical inspection for homologation.
This process is carried out in an authorized ITV center. You must present the following documentation:
Vehicle documentation (circulation permit, technical inspection card, etc.)
Purchase documentation (sales contract or invoice)
Single Administrative Document (DUA)
If the result of the inspection is favorable, the ITV center will give you the technical sheet of the vehicle in Spanish format. This technical sheet is an essential document to register the vehicle in Spain.
Payment of taxes and fees in Spain
Once the vehicle has passed the technical inspection and has been homologated, you will have to pay the corresponding taxes and fees in Spain. These costs will depend on whether the import was carried out within or outside the European Union, and will also be related to the vehicle's CO2 emissions.
The main payments to be made are:
Property Transfer Tax: If the vehicle was purchased from a private individual.
Special Tax on Certain Means of Transport (IEDMT): This tax is calculated based on the vehicle's CO2 emissions. Vehicles emitting above 200 g/km of CO2 will have a higher tax.
Tax on Mechanical Traction Vehicles (IVTM): Also known as the "circulation tax", it is paid annually and varies depending on the vehicle's taxable power and the municipality where it is registered.
Our recommendation is to keep the receipts for these payments, as they may be needed in the future. Additionally, it is important to note that amounts can vary from year to year, so it is advisable to check the updated rates at the time of carrying out the procedures.
Registration and record in the DGT
Once all the previous steps have been completed, it's time to register the vehicle with the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT). This can be done in person or online.
The cost of the registration procedure varies for mopeds and for other vehicles, and the amount may change from year to year. To check the most updated cost, visit the website of the DGT.
After completing the registration, you will need to acquire the vehicle's license plates from a specialized store and place them in their corresponding location. You cannot drive in Spain with an imported vehicle without a Spanish license plate.
If the procedures for the definitive registration are prolonged, the DGT offers you the possibility of requesting a temporary registration. They will provide you with a green plate with which you can drive for two months extendable while you carry out the procedures for your definitive registration.
Final considerations
Some final recommendations:
Be thoroughly informed about the requirements and associated costs: Each country and situation may have specific peculiarities.
Plan in advance: Some procedures may take time, so be sure to have an adequate margin.
Seek professional advice if needed: If you have questions or encounter difficulties, do not hesitate to seek help from experts in the subject.
Consider all options: Before importing a vehicle, also evaluate the possibility of acquiring a used vehicle in Spain, as it may be a simpler and more economical option.
