Importing a car from the USA is often the only way to get the car of your dreams in an extensive equipment version and at a lower price.
However, in order for a car imported from the United States to be able to drive on Polish roads, it must first be registered. What is the procedure for registering a car from the USA in Poland? What should be kept in mind and what documents should be prepared before visiting the Motor Vehicle Department?
Registration of a car from the USA in Poland - what to bear in mind before visiting the office? How to prepare for it?
Cars from the USA have many admirers in Poland. They are distinguished by their attractive design, are generously equipped and offer impressive performance. Unfortunately, the majority of models from American brands are produced only for the local market. The only way to gain access to them is therefore to import them directly from the United States.
Buying and importing a car from overseas are not the only steps you need to take in order to drive the vehicle on Polish roads. It is also necessary to register the car. However, before you direct your steps to the Department of Transport to register your car, there are certain issues you need to take care of. Which ones?
1. payment of customs duties
A car imported from the USA must undergo customs clearance. Therefore, the new owner of the vehicle is required to pay certain customs fees. This is:
- customs,
- VAT,
- excise duty.
How much you end up paying depends, among other things, on the value of the vehicle. The rule of thumb is simple - the more expensive the car, the higher the fees you have to prepare for. Remember, you must attach the confirmation of payment of excise duty, customs duty and VAT to the application for registration of a car from the USA. You will download them from the PUESC electronic system.
2. Repair of a US car and adaptation of the vehicle to Polish road traffic regulations
If the car has been involved in a collision or bump and is damaged, it will only be possible to register the car after it has been repaired.
In addition, regardless of the technical condition of a vehicle imported from the United States, it must be adapted to the road traffic regulations in force in Poland. Otherwise, it will not pass a technical inspection at a diagnostic station, which will make it impossible to register the car and drive it legally on Polish roads.
In the case ofUS vehicles, it is necessary, among other things, to adapt the exhaust system, the odometer and the lamps. Only after the necessary modifications have been carried out can you go to a diagnostic station for a technical inspection..
3. technical inspection of a car from the USA
Every car imported from abroad, including those from the United States, must undergo a technical inspection at a diagnostic station in order to be registered in Poland. This is the so-called zero inspection that all vehicles imported into our country undergo.
Importantly, the technical inspection of a car to be registered in Poland for the first time can only be carried out at a Vehicle Inspection Station that is authorised to carry out this type of inspection.
Translation of documents. Before registering your car from the US, you need to go to a sworn translator to translate the original documents relating to the vehicle into Polish. We are talking here about documents such as:.
- registration certificate (title),.
- Vehicle Card (if issued),.
- proof of ownership of the vehicle (sales contract or invoice/receipt)..
- ce briefing
4 US car insurance
You must insure a car imported from the United States before registration. For imported vehicles, however, it is not possible to take out a full-year third-party liability policy. Instead, you can use a short-term policy, which is valid for 30 days. During this time, you must register your car.
How does registering a car from the USA work and what is needed to register a car imported from overseas?
Contrary to what you may think, registering a car from the USA is not complicated and is quite efficient, as long as you prepare yourself properly. Then, a car imported from abroad will have no problems in obtaining Polish plates and registration certificate. So what is the procedure for registering a car from the USA? What do you have to do first?
1. Fill out a vehicle registration application and go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to submit it
Include with your application:
- documents translated by a sworn translator - registration certificate, vehicle registration card (if issued), proof of vehicle ownership (sales contract or invoice/receipt), customs clearance,
- proof of clearance,.
- proof of payment of customs duties (customs, VAT and excise duties),.
- confirmation of payment of car registration fees,
- certificate of current technical inspection of the vehicle,
- document confirming the de-registration of the car in the USA,
- existing registration plates, if you have them,.
- a document related to the recycling of the vehicle, if the car was imported before 1 January 2016 and this is the first registration of the car in the country.
2. pick up the number plates
If the vehicle registration application submitted is complete, you will receive a temporary permit, a set of verification marks and temporary number plates to be fitted in the appropriate place. Until recently, the owner of the car also received an inspection sticker for the windscreen and a vehicle card. As of 4 September 2022, this is no longer necessary.
3. collect the registration certificate
The temporary permit issued to the official is valid for 30 days. This is also the amount of time the office has to register the vehicle permanently. You can check the status of your registration certificate on the PWPW website. Remember, when you collect the document, you must return the temporary permit and temporary number plates you received earlier. You will receive new ones in exchange.
How much does it cost to register a car from the USA in Poland?
In connection with the registration of a car, its owner must pay the relevant fee to the Motor Vehicles Department. Currently, due to the lack of the need to issue a vehicle card and a control sticker, the fee is lower and amounts to 161.50 PLN if the car owner decides to have an ordinary registration plate, or 1081.50 PLN - in the case of individual registration plates.
What is the procedure for registering a historic vehicle from the USA?
Among car fans, vintage American cars are very popular. Unfortunately, they often cannot be adapted to the road traffic regulations in force in Poland. This does not mean, however, that registration and issue of a registration certificate is completely impossible in their case. What formalities must be fulfilled in connection with the registration of a historic car?
As a first step, you must go to an automotive appraiser who will determine whether the car in question can be considered a historic vehicle. If so, the next step is to apply to the Provincial Historic Preservation Officer for the entry of the car imported from the USA in the register of historic buildings. If he grants your request, go to a diagnostic station and perform a technical inspection. A positive test result will allow you to register the car.
Remember, registration of a vintage car from the USA does not differ significantly from the procedure applicable to a regular car imported from overseas. You will still need to provide the Department of Motor Vehicles with the necessary documents, such as proof of customs clearance, confirmation of payment of excise duty or the vehicle card, among others.
Bringing a car from the USA is accompanied by many formalities. These will not be a problem if you entrust the bidding and transport of the car to Poland to specialists. At Carslade we will take care not only of the purchase of the car, but also of its import from overseas. As a result, the whole procedure will run smoothly. We will also take care of the proper documentation of the process. As a result, registering a car from the USA in Poland will not be a challenge for you.