Registering a UK car at the Polish vehicle registration office 2026 — checklist

Stage 1 — customs clearance and taxes before registration

Registration at the vehicle registration office is only possible once all customs and tax formalities on the Polish side have been completed. A car brought from the United Kingdom arrives in Poland as an import from a third country — the UK is outside the EU after Brexit. This means that on entry into Poland or at the EU border, the appropriate customs declarations must be filed. Easy Clearance can handle the entire customs stage: vehicle import clearance costs from £45 to £150. Prices quoted are indicative ranges — exact quote after document review. After customs clearance the customs authority issues a document you will need at the vehicle registration office.

Duty and VAT on importing a car from the UK

A passenger car imported from the United Kingdom into Poland is subject to duty under the TARIC tariff. The duty rate for vehicles depends on the HS code and may range from 0% to 6.5% — check the exact rate for your specific model on the HMRC Trade Tariff: trade-tariff.service.gov.uk. After paying duty, import VAT of 23% is calculated on the combined amount of the goods value, duty and transport cost. Proof of import VAT payment (or a certificate of exemption if you qualify for ToR/Transfer of Residence relief) is MANDATORY for registration. Without this document the registration office will not accept the application. More on calculating duty and VAT: Duty and VAT calculator — importing a car from the UK 2026.

SAD document or equivalent certificate from CDS

After customs clearance of the vehicle, the customs broker or customs authority generates a SAD (Single Administrative Document) confirming the import clearance. In the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), which replaced CHIEF for UK imports on 30 September 2022, the equivalent is an acceptance confirmation of the customs declaration with an MRN number. You should retain this document — or a printout or certificate — as proof of clearance. Polish vehicle registration offices also accept foreign customs documentation, but often require a translation — check with your local office before your visit. Easy Clearance provides complete clearance documentation in both Polish and English.

Stage 2 — documents for the vehicle registration office: full checklist

The checklist below covers the documents required by most Polish vehicle registration offices when registering a vehicle imported from the UK. National regulations derive from the Road Traffic Act and related ministerial regulations. Always call or check the website of your district authority (starostwo powiatowe) — local offices may require additional certificates. The core document set is common across Poland and described on the gov.pl portal.

V5C document — UK vehicle registration certificate

The V5C (Vehicle Registration Certificate, commonly known as the log book) is the UK equivalent of the Polish vehicle registration document. It is issued by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) — document description available at gov.uk/vehicle-log-book. You should receive the V5C from the seller together with the car. If the seller registered the vehicle's export with the DVLA, you will receive only the section of the document intended for the new owner abroad — this is also accepted by Polish offices. A sworn translation of the V5C into Polish is REQUIRED — without a translation the registration office will not accept the document.

COC and type-approval certificate — when needed and how to obtain it

A COC (Certificate of Conformity) is a document issued by the vehicle manufacturer confirming that the vehicle met the requirements of the relevant EU directive at the time of production. It is particularly important when registering vehicles previously registered in the UK, where type approval was based on EU standards (before Brexit) or UKCA standards (after Brexit). If you do not have a COC, you can apply for it directly from the brand's importer or dealer in Poland, or pursue individual type approval through the Transport Technical Supervision authority (TDT — Transportowy Dozór Techniczny). Detailed requirements for registering a vehicle imported from abroad are set out on gov.pl.

Technical inspection — where and how

Before submitting the registration application, the vehicle must pass a technical inspection at a Polish vehicle inspection centre (SKP). The inspection concludes with a technical condition certificate valid for one month from issue. Note: Polish technical requirements (e.g. spare wheel, first-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher) may differ from UK requirements. Right-hand drive (RHD) is permitted in Poland — no steering conversion is required, but additional statements may be needed at the SKP. Check the requirements with your SKP before bringing the car for inspection.

Stage 3 — the procedure at the vehicle registration office, step by step

Documents complete? Here is what happens at the vehicle registration office of the district authority (starostwo powiatowe) or city authority with district-level powers for your place of residence. Registering a vehicle imported from abroad follows the same process as registering from the EU, but requires several additional customs documents not needed when buying from Germany or France. Book an appointment online or call the office — many offices operate exclusively by appointment. Allow an average of two to three weeks from submitting a complete application to receiving the final registration plates and document.

Vehicle registration application — form and fees

Submit the registration application on the form provided by the office (or downloaded from gov.pl). Attach: V5C + sworn translation, COC or type-approval certificate, SAD or CDS clearance confirmation, proof of import VAT payment, SKP technical inspection certificate, insurance policy (OC), and proof of ownership (purchase invoice or agreement). The registration fee is approximately PLN 256 for a complete set of registration plates and registration document (rates are set by ministerial regulation and may change). You will receive a temporary registration document immediately at the counter — the final document and plates arrive in approximately 14–21 days.

Common problems and how to avoid them

The most frequent problems when registering a UK car in Poland: (1) Missing or incomplete V5C — if the seller notified the DVLA of the sale after issuing the export confirmation, you can apply to the DVLA for the vehicle history; (2) No COC for a vehicle imported after 2021 — vehicles with UKCA type approval (rather than EC) require individual assessment by TDT; (3) Inconsistent dates on documents — ensure that dates on the V5C, invoice and SAD are consistent; (4) Missing translations — all English-language documents MUST be translated by a sworn translator. Expect a minimum of two office visits if documents are incomplete.

What the current rules say

Registering a UK car at a Polish vehicle registration office requires a complete set of documents: V5C with sworn translation, COC or type-approval certificate, customs clearance proof (SAD or CDS), proof of import VAT payment, SKP technical inspection certificate, OC insurance and proof of ownership. The customs stage — import clearance from £45 to £150 (prices quoted are indicative ranges — exact quote after document review) — can be handled by Easy Clearance. Once documentation is complete and the application submitted, expect an average of 14–21 days for the final registration document.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

What documents are needed to register a UK car in Poland?

The core set: V5C (UK registration certificate) + sworn translation, COC or type-approval certificate, customs clearance document (SAD or CDS confirmation), proof of import VAT payment, technical inspection certificate from a Polish SKP, OC insurance policy and proof of ownership. Check with your local district office — additional documents may be required.

Do I have to pay customs duty when importing a car from the UK?

Yes. A car imported from the UK to Poland is subject to duty under the TARIC tariff (the UK is a third country after Brexit) and 23% import VAT. Proof of payment of these charges is essential for registration. It is worth checking the calculation before you buy.

What is the V5C and how do I get it translated?

The V5C is the UK vehicle registration certificate (log book) issued by the DVLA. When buying a car in the UK you should receive it from the seller. In Poland it must be translated by a sworn English-language translator — cost approximately PLN 60–120 per document depending on length.

Can a right-hand drive (RHD) car be registered in Poland?

Yes. A car with a right-hand drive layout can be legally registered and used in Poland. No steering conversion is required, but additional statements may be needed during the technical inspection. Check the requirements with your local SKP.

How long does it take to register a UK car in Poland?

From submitting a complete application to the registration office to receiving the final registration document and plates: an average of 14–21 days. You will receive a temporary registration document ("tymczaski") immediately at the counter. The time increases significantly if documents are incomplete — which is why it is worth preparing the full file before your visit.

What should I do if the COC is missing when registering a UK car?

If you do not have a COC (Certificate of Conformity), you have two options: (1) apply to the brand's importer or dealer in Poland for a COC based on the VIN number; (2) have the vehicle individually type-approved by the Transport Technical Supervision authority (TDT). The TDT route is longer and more expensive — recommended only when a COC is genuinely unavailable.

Official sources

• Vehicle Registration Certificate V5C — GOV.UK
• Exporting a vehicle permanently from Great Britain — GOV.UK
• Register a vehicle imported from abroad — GOV.PL
• Podatki.gov.pl — duty and VAT on imports — Polish Ministry of Finance
• KAS — National Revenue Administration — vehicle imports — KAS