Car importing to Portugal

porky · Post by **porky** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 12:33 pm

Can anybody shed any light on the proceedure for importing a car from the U.K to Portugal. ie tax, duty's etc

kteee · Post by **kteee** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 3:03 pm

As I understand it, if you have owned the car for more than six months and intend to live in Portugal you can import your car tax free as part of your goods and chattels.

We are about to undertake this process and will report on the progress as it happens.

It seems to be a very complicated process (what isn't in Portugal) and I think it is better to employ an agent to do the transfer on your behalf. There are several who advertise in the Resident and we intend to use their services - haven't decided which one yet - so if anyone has any recommendations (or otherwise) please let me know!

k

digger · Post by **digger** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 3:04 pm

yes The British Embassy can:
http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servle ... 7336084920

porky · Post by **porky** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 4:00 pm

Thanks for the help guys. but does it make a difference if you are not going to be a permanent resident in Portugal? I intend for the car to be used while on holiday.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 4:51 pm

A guy sitting next to me on the plane home from CVO in October--said he'd heard on good authority--that the EU were planning a new directive--a ban on all right hand drive vehicles in Europe in the future --for those planning to take up residency--dont know how much truth there is in this?
Is it just the UK/N.Ire. and Ireland that drive on the left?
Ive only travelled in western europe --so I simple dont know

kteee · Post by **kteee** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 6:02 pm

That's very helpful, thanks digger.

We bought a left hand drive car in the UK in preparation for living here as we couldn't face driving a right hand drive car over here permanently!

Sorry I can't help you more porky, I only know about our situation of planning to be resident here.

k

martin · Post by **martin** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 10:04 pm

why do you have to import a car...there are loads of garages selling new cars at zero per cent interest.....importing a car is a trial..

one couple I know who bought a right hand drive 100000 mile car for £2800 and had the costs of driving it here are now faced with it costing 6000 euros to matriculate...so at the end they have spent almost the same amount of money as they could have if they had bought new

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 3:59 pm

thankyou maddi. yes she is right...make your own mind up ..the point of my friends experience was for you to beware of the pitfalls of bringing in a car. they now regret the experience as many also with knowing the problems have also had with many many hours of beaucracy and trouble

if you want precise information then best to contact the portuguese customs office or contact AFPOP

martin

aardvark · Post by **aardvark** » Sun Jan 18, 2004 9:06 pm

AFPOP have a leaflet giving tax that needs to be paid by a non resident importing. The amount is based on engine sze and is reduced by a % for each year in age. An agent will take care of the paperwork. Used LHD cars bought in the UK are much cheaper than buying here even after tax and bureaucratic costs.

porky · Post by **porky** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 9:22 am

Thanks guys for all the info.

I didn't realise it would cause such a stir. But the main reason for me bring the car would be that it would be a vintage convertable probably not available in Portugal (easily). Aardvarks final comment was useful.

Thanks again

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 11:05 am

Back to the question....As we all know one is allowed to bring in one car (Husband and Wife one each) as long as one has owned it for 6 months in UK and as long as you become resident. Non residents can have a car here for 6 Months and then legally should matriculate it which is expensive and also often involves some modifications and a test. The cost of this (Tax) reduces up to eight years old (The car that is) but is still quite big after 8 years. In practice many non residents drive their UK registered car here for years...If (When) they are stopped at a road check...they just say they are on holiday...OR they drive back to UK every 6 Months...and return (Expensive)...some people have worked out that they can get the MOT done in UK and tax it for 6 months..then retax it for a year after that...this enables them to keep it here for 18 months with UK road tax and Insurance...looks legal but lt's not really legal in Portugal. I know some guys that have done this for 10 years...and I was talking just last night to a policeman that told me...they are aware of this but really cannot prove that the driver is not a holiday maker without a lot of trouble..and they dont usually want to bother with it...(He was a motor bike traffic Cop) ..Now to answer this chaps real question...he wants it seems to bring in a special CLASSIC type car...Different completely...If the car has been Homologated before in Portugal..and it is is over 30 years old (Some say 27..I'm not sure)...then he can bring this car in TAX FREE ...legally...it will only cost him about 600 Euro...first check with the official importer for this model to see if its homologated and if its not..its a simple test to get it Homologated..then apply to Club Portuguese De Automoveis Antigos...with Photos /Log Book / Manuel ..if you have one ?? and about 200Euro..you can drive that car legally here for 6 months whilst you do the work yourself OR pay one of those Agents about Euro 1000...or do it yourself for a third of that....Its frustrating but I'm going through it right now..and it can be done...(I Hope..tell you when I'm finished)......

The above is from my personal experience ..please dont anybody jump on me and tell me I'm wrong/Right etc...I can onlt tell you the facts as I have found them...Also please understand I'm not advising anybody to do Illegal things here....you should NOT....but many do and thats the facts...Ciao Ciao and what is that Classic car you have anyway ????

porky · Post by **porky** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 11:12 am

Fantastic reply by guest.

Thank you very much throws some light on things.

The vehicle is a 230 sl Mercedes.

Thanks again.
Porky

kteee · Post by **kteee** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 12:13 pm

Thanks guest for your very informative reply - let us know your opinion of the process when it's all over.

Good luck

k

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 1:41 pm

Just in case anybody is wondering:

I have reduced this topic to what was originally intended.
If you have any further info on imports and/or experience with the procedures, please feel free to share them under this topic.

aardvark · Post by **aardvark** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 4:13 pm

Used LHD in UK are often EC spec so normally no problem with homologation. Latest UK reg doc has changed to common EC format and even has Certificado de Matricula on the front. Doesn't mean that non residents avoid the car tax though. Tax is €4 per cc below 1250cc Then subtract €2400 before reducing by a % to represent the age. Over 10 yrs for example only pays 20%. A 1 year old 1250cc car would cost €2080 in tax. A 10year old 1250cc would cost €520. Over 1250cc and the costs are €8.50 per cc but with a €8500 reduction before applying the %. Allow around €500 extra if you want someone to do all the leg work

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