Importing a vehicle from the UK to Poland — duty, VAT and excise in one package

The key documents are: V5 (UK registration certificate), proof of ownership (logbook), origin documents (invoice, sale agreement), COC (Certificate of Conformity) if available, and a copy of the importer's ID/VAT number. For vehicles over 40 years old, a VE600 certificate from the DVLA is required. We send a complete checklist for each vehicle type — you can send us the auction link and we will prepare the checklist.

Import duty on a passenger car is approximately 10% of the vehicle value (CIF — Cost, Insurance, Freight). VAT is 23% of the combined total: vehicle value + duty + transport costs. Excise duty depends on vehicle type (petrol/diesel/hybrid/electric) and engine displacement. Individual quotes depend on vehicle type and documents. We offer a preliminary calculator on the site — enter the make/model/year and we'll calculate estimated duty, VAT and excise duty. An exact calculation follows document review.

Yes. Excise duty in Poland applies to passenger cars with engines above 2,000 cc (petrol) and 1,900 cc (diesel). Rates range from 3.1% to 4.7% depending on displacement and fuel type. Electric vehicles are exempt from excise duty until 2027 (EU/national decision). Motorhomes, quads and motorbikes over 400 cc have their own excise duty rates — mopeds up to 400 cc are exempt. If importing as household goods (vehicle genuinely owned by the importer and used for more than 12 months), excise duty exemption may be available — a certificate from the UKM and DVLA confirming household goods status is required.

The V5 is the UK Vehicle Registration Certificate, which must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator — this is a requirement of the local authority for registration. MSVA (MOT equivalent) is the technical inspection required in the UK before the vehicle departs, confirming its technical condition and safety. Valid for 12 months. On arrival in Poland, the vehicle undergoes a technical inspection (IVA/MSVA) at a designated centre (e.g. a provincial transport authority inspection point) — this is similar to a standard Polish MOT but more detailed for imported vehicles.

Yes, we handle all vehicle types: passenger cars, motorbikes (over 400 cc and mopeds up to 400 cc), motorhomes, quads, boats, trailers, car transporters and low-loaders. Each type has different customs and registration requirements. Motorbikes over 400 cc are subject to full excise duty procedures. Mopeds up to 400 cc are exempt from excise duty. Motorhomes may be registered as residential vehicles (excise duty exemption possible if household goods) or commercial vehicles (excise duty mandatory). Quads are registered as off-road vehicles — excise duty mandatory. Boats — no excise duty, registered in the watercraft register. Every scenario is quoted individually.

Typically 10–14 working days from when documents are ready in the UK: 3–5 days for customs clearance at the UK–PL border, 2–3 days for Polish customs procedures (PIT system, excise duty), 3–4 days for technical inspection and registration at the vehicle licensing office. If the vehicle has a COC and all documents are complete, the process is faster — 7–10 days may be achievable. Waiting for a technical inspector slot (particularly in smaller towns) may add a few days. We initiate the process from the UK end — you simply wait for your vehicle to arrive with Polish plates.