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- How to Export Cars from the EU: Guide for Non-EU Buyers
How to Export Cars from the EU: Guide for Non-EU Buyers
You can easily buy and export cars from Europe by learning about the key rules, documents, and steps for non-EU buyers.
Importing cars within the EU is easy because most procedures are standardized across member states.
But if you’re buying a car and planning to export it outside of the EU, you’ll need to keep some different rules in mind. Still, the process is completely doable!
To help you with exporting European cars, we’ll guide you through export regulations, differences by destination country, and common problems and their solutions.
Can you export cars by yourself? And should you do it?
When it comes to who handles the logistics, you have two options:
- You can export the car yourself with transit license plates
- Hire a transport company to manage the transport
Both options have their pros and cons, but the most important aspect of the decision should be the location you’re exporting to.
- Balkans and Eastern Europe: Using a transit company is the easier way. It’s simpler, faster to organize, and there’s no need for you to personally wait at borders.
- North Africa: You can export cars by yourself by using transit plates from the seller’s country (that’s Belgium for eCarstrade) and a ferry. Most buyers drive the car to the port and sail to their destination.
So, if you’re exporting to Eastern Europe, you’ll save more time by hiring a transport truck. But if you’re exporting overseas, you’ll have more control over timing and costs by driving on transit plates and taking the ferry.
EU export regulations - critical information
Before you think about routes or ferries, you have to make sure your export is set up correctly on the EU side.
More precisely, you have to make sure you’re eligible to export cars, and if you are, what documents you’ll need.
Who can export EU vehicles?
There are ways for private buyers to export vehicles, but on eCarsTrade and similar platforms, exports are done business-to-business.
So, buyers are registered car-trading companies, and the seller is an EU-registered company.
It’s important that you buy cars from registered businesses because they can legally arrange parts of the export.
For instance, the EU-based business seller submits the export declaration (EX-A) and issues the invoice and vehicle documents you’ll use for import and registration.
List of necessary documentation
The EX-A and the invoice aren’t the only documents you’ll need for export. Here’s a list of documents you’ll need to prepare:
► EX-A
EX-A (export declaration) is a crucial document that the seller prepares before the vehicle leaves the EU. It contains the MRN number which you can use to track the shipment status.
The EX-A gets scanned at the EU exit point, confirming that the car has left the EU. The document is also important because you need it to get your VAT deposit back from eCarsTrade.
► EUR1
You’ll need the EUR1 certificate in countries that have a trade agreement with the EU (for instance, Montenegro and North Macedonia). It helps you reduce import duties if the car qualifies as EU-origin.
► Certificate of origin (CO)
The certificate of origin (CO) proves the car’s origin and shows in which country the car was made.
If you’re exporting to countries that have a trade agreement with the EU, the EUR1 will likely be enough.
But if you’re exporting to countries outside the EU’s trade agreement network (for example, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE) or where customs want extra proof of origin, you’ll need a CO so the destination country can verify the EU origin of the car.
To get a CO, you will need to apply through the Chamber of Commerce in the seller’s country.
You’ll need to provide:
- A completed application form (often online)
- The commercial invoice
- The vehicle registration documents
► COC
The Certificate of Conformity (COC) is a document that proves that the vehicle was manufactured in accordance with the EU standards.
Although you may not need the COC for customs, you may need it for registration in the destination country. Keep in mind that most used cars are sold without the COC.
If the car you’ve bought doesn’t have this certificate, you can buy one from COC providers like EUROCOC or COC Europe.
Image source: EUROCOC
Keep in mind that it may take a few days to a few weeks for your COC to arrive, so order it before shipping and plan your registration ahead.
► Purchase invoice
The purchase invoice, which you can find on your Personal Page if you’re buying through eCarsTrade, lists the purchase information such as:
- Buyer details
- VIN
- Price
- VAT scheme (standard VAT or margin scheme)
Having the invoice with accurate data is important because customs in your country will usually calculate import taxes on European cars, including duties and VAT, from the invoice price.
► Registration documents
You’ll need the original registration papers to prove prior registration and ownership, clear customs, and register the car in your country.
Cars on eCarsTrade come with original registration documents included.
► Official translation of every document by a sworn translator
If your customs or registration office requires it, you’ll have to provide sworn translations of key documents into the destination country’s language.
eCarsTrade tip! Rules can change, so always check the current document requirements with the EU seller and your destination customs office before you start the export!
Export process differences by destination country
Each export country has its own set of customs, duties, and paperwork. We’ll now see two common export routes to show how the steps change in practice.
Exporting cars from Germany to Montenegro
Let’s say you wanted to export a car from Germany to Montenegro. Even before the export process starts, you’ll see how Montenegro differs from other destination countries.
Namely, there are import rules that forbid importing used cars older than 15 years or vehicles that don’t meet at least Euro 5 emission standards.
Once you’ve found and bought a car that meets these conditions, the EU business seller submits the EX-A and you arrange transport (for this route, a transport truck is usually the most practical option).
When the car is delivered to you, check the car and note any issues on the CMR.
At Montenegrin customs, you’ll present your documents. The EUR1 will help you get zero customs duty.
Lastly, you’ll pay local taxes, complete clearance, and move on to registration.
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Exporting cars from Germany to Algeria
Now, let’s look at another common destination and see how the process changes when you export cars from Germany to Algeria.
The first change you’ll notice is the limit on eligible vehicles: only used cars under three years old are allowed, and diesel passenger cars aren’t allowed.
Once you’ve bought a compliant car, the seller will submit the EX-A. If you're driving the car yourself and then taking the ferry, you’ll need to prepare transit plates.
At the EU exit, the customs will scan the EX-A. At Algerian customs, present your invoice, registration papers, and EX-A. For French cars, include the Certificat de cession. You might also need a recent technical inspection.
Finally, pay import charges (customs duty, VAT 19%, and the solidarity fee), complete clearance, and proceed to registration.
As you can see, although the country of export is the same, each destination country follows its own requirements in terms of documents and procedures. So, you should always check the local rules in advance.
Common export problems and solutions
Even with careful planning, a few issues come up regularly. If you read about some common problems that our buyers have reported, you’ll be able to prepare for them.
► EX-A document
Sometimes, the EX-A barcode is not properly scanned at the port.
So, if you’re tracking your MRN on the EU Customs export tracking portal, it may appear as if your car wasn’t exported.
Your first step for solving this problem is to ask the customs officers at the exit point to scan the EX-A again.
But if you’ve already left the EU border or port, complete registration in your destination country and send eCarsTrade the new registration documents.
We’ll then forward these to the agency to confirm export manually. This process can take up to one month.
► Missing documentation
If you’re missing a document during the export, the entire process may get delayed until you provide it or arrange a replacement.
So, when you pick up the vehicle, you should verify exactly which documents come with the car and arrange any missing ones in advance.
On eCarsTrade, each car listing clearly shows what documents are included and which ones are missing. For example, French cars often don’t have the COC, so you can plan ahead and order it before transport.
It’s also a good idea to keep a checklist with EX-A, invoice, registration papers, and translations where needed.
► Shipping options
For the Balkans and Eastern Europe, a truck is usually the simplest solution. You should confirm dates, insurance, and the delivery point.
For North Africa, most buyers use transit plates and a ferry. This page explains how to get Belgian transit plates and what documents to bring.
► Damage claims and insurance
When buying second-hand cars, you can expect some damages. To avoid surprises, you should carefully read car descriptions, review photos and appraisal reports, and do a VIN check before buying.
eCarsTrade tip! eCarsTrade accepts damage claims only for issues that were not in the photos, description and/or appraisal reports, so check the CMR on delivery and write down any new problems immediately.
The CMR is also important if you’re transporting your car by truck because in most cases, the carrier’s insurance only covers damages that you note on the CMR at the time of delivery.
Exporting with eCarsTrade
While there are some things that eCarsTrade handles during your export process (like submitting the EX-A), there are other things that you’ll have to arrange by yourself, like obtaining transit plates.
But in any case, your Account manager will guide you through the process and make sure you know exactly what to prepare.
So, whether you have any questions about VAT refunds or which documents your destination customs office might require, you can always ask us and we’ll provide clear answers and practical advice.
FAQ
► Do I pay VAT when I export a car from the EU?
As a non-EU buyer, you’ll first pay a VAT deposit. Once the car leaves the EU, you’ll confirm the export, and then you’ll get your deposit back.
► Can I import a European car to a country not in the EU?
Yes. The EU side needs a valid export with EX-A, and your country handles import duties and registration.
► Will eCarsTrade help me with the car export process?
Yes, there are many elements of the export process, so your Account Manager will guide you through paperwork and logistics.
Even if there are things that you have to arrange on your own, like transport or transit plates, we can offer advice for the smoothest export.
► Can I export damaged or salvage vehicles?
Yes, but it depends on the rules in your destination country. Some countries accept cars with minor damage, while others only allow imports if the car passes a technical inspection or meets specific roadworthiness standards. So, you should check your country’s import rules.
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