{"id":1037,"date":"2026-05-10T06:57:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T06:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flytorelocation.com\/de\/germany-car-export-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T20:15:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T20:15:11","slug":"germany-car-export-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/flytorelocation.com\/de\/germany-car-export-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Exporting a Car from Germany 2026: KFZ-Abmeldung + Customs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Exporting a Car from Germany 2026: KFZ-Abmeldung, Ausfuhrkennzeichen and Customs Formalities<\/h1>\n
Flyto Relocation Team<\/strong>\u00b7<\/span>Updated May 10, 2026<\/span>\u00b7<\/span>\u2713 Expert team since 2018<\/span>\u00b7<\/span>~2 min read<\/span><\/div>\n
Also available in Deutsch<\/a><\/div>\n
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Quick answer:<\/strong> Exporting a car from Germany requires deregistering the vehicle at the Zulassungsstelle, optionally getting an Ausfuhrkennzeichen (export plate) for the journey, and lodging a customs declaration when moving to a third country. Within the EU\/EEA there are no customs formalities. The UK after Brexit, Switzerland and the USA charge import duty plus VAT in the destination country. Re-registration deadlines abroad are typically 30-90 days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Key takeaways<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Deregister<\/strong> at the Zulassungsstelle.<\/li>\n
  • Ausfuhrkennzeichen<\/strong> for road transit.<\/li>\n
  • EU\/EEA<\/strong>: no customs.<\/li>\n
  • UK Brexit<\/strong>: ~10% duty + 20% VAT.<\/li>\n
  • Re-register<\/strong> within 30-90 days abroad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
    \"Exporting<\/figure>\n
    \n

    The full Ausfuhrkennzeichen procedure<\/h2>\n

    The Ausfuhrkennzeichen (export plate) is a temporary German registration plate that lets you legally drive your car from Germany to your new country of residence and to register it there. It is issued by the Zulassungsstelle (vehicle registration office) at the same appointment where you deregister the existing plates.<\/p>\n

    Validity ranges from 15 days to 1 year \u2014 choose based on transit time and the destination’s grace period for re-registration. Cost: typically \u20ac60-150 plus mandatory short-term insurance (\u20ac20-200 depending on validity and insurer). The plate has a red border denoting export status, plus an end-of-validity date stamped on the right side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Validity<\/th>\nTypical cost (plate + insurance)<\/th>\nBest for<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    15 days<\/td>\n\u20ac80-120<\/td>\nEU drive-and-register within 2 weeks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    30 days<\/td>\n\u20ac100-150<\/td>\nEU drive-and-register, slow administration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    3 months<\/td>\n\u20ac140-220<\/td>\nNon-EU shipping with overseas registration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    1 year<\/td>\n\u20ac220-400<\/td>\nVehicle stored in Germany, exported later<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Customs declaration for third-country exports<\/h2>\n

    Within the EU\/EEA: no customs declaration required, no duties or VAT. Just drive across the border and re-register at the destination DMV-equivalent (Zulassungsstelle).<\/p>\n

    For UK after Brexit, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia: a customs export declaration via ATLAS (the German customs e-system) is required. Most international vehicle shipping companies handle this on your behalf. The destination country then charges import duty + VAT \u2014 typically:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • UK<\/strong>: 10% Duty + 20% VAT on the customs value (declared market value of the car)<\/li>\n
    • Switzerland<\/strong>: 4% Customs Duty + 7.7% VAT + Automobilsteuer 4%<\/li>\n
    • USA<\/strong>: 2.5% Duty (cars) or 25% (light trucks\/vans\/SUVs over 4-wheel drive); state-level use tax additionally<\/li>\n
    • Canada<\/strong>: 6.1% Duty + 5% GST\/HST + provincial tax<\/li>\n
    • Australia<\/strong>: 5% Duty + 10% GST + Luxury Car Tax (33% over A$71,849)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Vehicles that have been used by you for at least 6 months before the move can qualify for \u00dcbersiedlungsgut (transfer-of-residence) duty relief in many destinations. Documentation required: original purchase invoice, proof of registration in Germany for at least 6 months, proof of foreign residence intent.<\/p>\n

      Vehicle modifications for foreign roads<\/h2>\n

      Most German cars are EU-compliant and need only minor adjustments for other EU countries. Outside the EU, modifications can be substantial:<\/p>\n

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      • UK<\/strong>: headlights need beam pattern adjustment for left-hand traffic. UK MOT required after import (\u20ac60-100 inspection fee).<\/li>\n
      • USA<\/strong>: vehicles less than 25 years old must comply with FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) \u2014 this is a major hurdle. Most German cars do NOT comply without expensive modifications. The 25-year exemption rule applies for older classics.<\/li>\n
      • Canada<\/strong>: similar to USA but with the 15-year exemption (cars less than 15 years old must meet CMVSS standards).<\/li>\n
      • Australia\/New Zealand<\/strong>: right-hand-drive conversion required for new imports \u2014 \u20ac5,000-15,000 cost. Personal-import schemes allow some left-hand-drive vehicles for individuals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Re-registration timeline at destination<\/h2>\n

        Each country has different deadlines for re-registering an imported vehicle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Destination<\/th>\nRe-registration deadline<\/th>\nAuthority<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        France<\/td>\n30 days after entry<\/td>\nPr\u00e9fecture \/ ANTS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Italy<\/td>\n30 days after import<\/td>\nMotorizzazione Civile<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Spain<\/td>\n30 days, ITV inspection within 1 year<\/td>\nJefatura Provincial de Tr\u00e1fico<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        UK<\/td>\n14 days for DVLA notification, MOT before driving<\/td>\nDVLA + MOT centre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Switzerland<\/td>\n1 year (visitor); immediately on residence<\/td>\nStrassenverkehrsamt (cantonal)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        USA<\/td>\n30-90 days depending on state<\/td>\nState DMV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

        What documentation to prepare<\/h2>\n
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        • Fahrzeugbrief<\/strong> (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II \u2014 the title document)<\/li>\n
        • Fahrzeugschein<\/strong> (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I \u2014 registration card)<\/li>\n
        • Original purchase invoice (Kaufvertrag)<\/li>\n
        • Recent T\u00dcV\/AU certificate (German MOT) \u2014 most destinations accept this for first foreign inspection<\/li>\n
        • Owner’s passport and Abmeldebescheinigung<\/li>\n
        • For non-EU: customs export declaration ATLAS reference number<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Insurance during the transition<\/h2>\n

          German insurance ends with deregistration. The Ausfuhrkennzeichen comes with mandatory short-term insurance (typically through the same Zulassungsstelle agent). At the destination, register with a local insurer immediately upon re-registration \u2014 most countries do not allow driving uninsured even briefly.<\/p>\n

          Your German no-claims discount (Schadenfreiheitsklasse) can often be transferred to the new country. Request a Schadenfreiheitsbescheinigung from your German insurer before departure \u2014 most foreign insurers honour this and apply the equivalent local discount.<\/p>\n

          Selling vs exporting: when does each make sense?<\/h2>\n

          For older vehicles (>5 years) and non-EU destinations, the costs of export plus import duties + VAT often exceed the value of the car. Selling in Germany and buying locally at the destination is usually more economical.<\/p>\n

          Exporting makes sense when:<\/p>\n

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          • The car is recent (1-4 years old) with high resale value preserved<\/li>\n
          • Destination is in EU\/EEA (no duties)<\/li>\n
          • You have a sentimental or specialty vehicle that’s hard to replace<\/li>\n
          • The destination market has high vehicle import costs (Australia, Singapore)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            For destinations with cheap local vehicles (USA, Canada), selling in Germany and buying locally is almost always cheaper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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            FAQ<\/h3>\n
            \nHow much does an Ausfuhrkennzeichen cost?<\/summary>\n

            Around \u20ac80-150 depending on Bundesland and validity.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

            \nInsurance during transit?<\/summary>\n

            Short-term export insurance for 30-60 days from German insurers.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

            \nCan I drive during transit?<\/summary>\n

            Yes with Ausfuhrkennzeichen, or use a transport service.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

            \nIs exporting worth it?<\/summary>\n

            Often yes for newer cars, rarely for older ones once duty and re-registration costs apply.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

            \nClassic car?<\/summary>\n

            Different rules apply for vehicles over 30 years old (Oldtimer).<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

            \nCan I use my German green insurance card abroad?<\/summary>\n

            Yes, the green card is valid in EU\/EEA + Switzerland for the duration of your German insurance. After deregistration, the green card is no longer valid \u2014 you need destination-country insurance immediately.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

            \nWhat if my car has German-only safety features (e.g. autobahn-tuned headlights)?<\/summary>\n

            Most modern German cars have international-spec headlights with beam-pattern switches for left\/right-hand traffic. Pre-1995 cars may need physical headlight modifications. Check the owner’s manual or with an authorised dealer.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

            \nCan I export a leased car?<\/summary>\n

            Generally no \u2014 the leasing company owns the title. You must terminate the lease before emigration. Some leasing companies offer cross-border lease transfer to their international subsidiaries (rare). Confirm with your leasing provider before planning.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

            \nIs the V5C-equivalent (Fahrzeugbrief) returned after deregistration?<\/summary>\n

            Yes \u2014 you keep the Fahrzeugbrief permanently. It is needed to register the vehicle abroad. Lost Fahrzeugbrief requires duplicate (Verlustbescheinigung) at \u20ac30-50 fee from your former Zulassungsstelle.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

            Coordinate the Ausfuhrkennzeichen window with the moving truck schedule to avoid plate gaps.<\/p>\n

            Flyto Relocation arranges international vehicle transport. Get a free quote<\/a>.<\/p>\n

            See also: All Germany moving guides<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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            Need to ship your car or belongings?<\/h3>\n

            Get a personalised quote for your full international move<\/p>\n

            Get free quote \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n