There may be specific cases where the requirements mentioned here may differ and so we highly recommend researching the specific regulations of the countries involved, as well as consulting the relevant authorities and/or experts to ensure compliance.
Or just let CARS Europe take care of everything. But generally speaking, you’ll need the following documentation as a minimum when exporting a vehicle across borders:
- Vehicle Registration Document - This document is named “V5C” in the UK, “carta di circolazione” or “libretto” in Italy, “carte grise” in France, “Fahrzeugbrief” in Germany, etc.
- Proof of purchase - Not always necessary, a ‘bill of sale’ is often sufficient.
- Certificate of Conformity (COC) - This document needs to be requested from the original vehicle manufacturer. It is necessary to issue a new vehicle registration document for the destination country and includes all the technical specifications of the vehicle.
- Proof of Ownership (private seller only) - The current owner's ID with the name on the ID matching the name on the vehicle registration document.
- Valid Identification (Passport or ID Card) - This now refers to the buyer
- Vehicle Inspection Report (if required by the national laws of the destination country) - It's important to check whether such an inspection is necessary and comply accordingly.
- Import License (if applicable by the national law of the country in question - such as the red “Zollkennzeichen” in Germany) - This is necessary only if the car will be driven on public roads after the handover.
- Import/Customs Declaration Form (Only for extra-EU transactions) - This form helps to document the import process and comply with customs regulations. It's advisable to seek assistance from an appointed customs broker to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience in this regard.
The UK government website has some useful information regarding exporting a vehicle from the UK which can be found here.
Firstly you’ll need to fill out the “permanent export” section of the vehicle logbook (V5C) and send it to the DVLA. The remainder of the V5C will be given to the new buyer so they can register the vehicle abroad.
Believe it or not there are certain culturally significant things we like to hang on to as a nation so if the vehicle is over 50 years old you may need a special export license. Information can be found via the Arts Council website here.
Every country has different rules and regulations for importing vehicles meaning the paperwork required is also different, so please reach out to the seller or to us at Car & Classic via email at support@carandclassic.com to confirm everything is present before placing a bid or making an offer.
You can also contact our partners CARS Europe who can offer expert guidance.