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European Union Import Duty Rate for Used & Second-Hand Cars

HS 8703 · Used motor vehicles for transport of persons

European Union MFN Import Duty Rate

6.5%

on CIF value

CETA/JEFTA: 0%

Same rate as new cars. Age does not affect the import duty rate in the EU.

How duty is calculated

CIF value

Product cost + international freight + insurance

Import duty (6.5%)

Applied to CIF value. EU, UK, and most countries use CIF.

VAT (20%)

Applied to CIF value + duty. Collected at customs.

Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.

Worked example: used & second-hand cars worth US$10,000

A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. European Union charges duty on the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance), so the duty base is US$10,900. Customs converts the amount to EUR at the official exchange rate on the day of import.

Charge	At 6.5%
Import duty	$709
VAT (20%)	$2,322
Total paid at the border	$3,030

VAT is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.

Classifying used & second-hand cars correctly

Used cars share heading 8703 with new ones; the age, engine size and fuel type of the vehicle decide the subheading and, in many countries, the excise.

Many countries cap vehicle age (Kenya eight years, several others five) or ban used imports outright
Customs often values used cars from official price guides rather than the invoice
Right-hand-drive vehicles are banned for registration in some left-hand-drive markets

Compliance. Expect a pre-shipment roadworthiness or radiation inspection (e.g. JEVIC or QISJ for cars from Japan) and deregistration papers from the country of export.

Importing into European Union: what you need

Customs is run by each member state (Zoll in Germany, Douane in France, Agencja Celna in Poland) under the Union Customs Code; rates come from the Common Customs Tariff and TARIC.

Registration. An EORI number issued by the member state where the importer is established. Non-EU sellers either appoint an indirect customs representative or ship DDP through a carrier that acts as declarant.

Low-value shipments. Goods worth €150 or less were duty-free until 30 June 2026. Since 1 July 2026 a flat €3 customs duty applies to each tariff heading in a low-value parcel sold through IOSS (Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382), until normal duties take over in July 2028. VAT is due from the first euro, collected at checkout under IOSS or at import.

Documents customs will ask for

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Proof of origin for preferential rates (statement on origin or REX statement)
Import licence or certificate where the product is regulated

Charges on top of duty

Import VAT at the rate of the member state of import (17–27%)
Excise on alcohol, tobacco and energy products
Anti-dumping duties on specific product/origin pairs (TARIC additional codes)
CBAM certificates for iron, steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers and hydrogen above the 50-tonne annual threshold

Watch out. VAT, not duty, is usually the bigger number — a 3% duty on a €10,000 shipment is €300, while 20% VAT on the duty-paid value is over €2,100. VAT-registered importers recover it; consumers do not.

Frequently asked questions

What is the import duty rate for Used & Second-Hand Cars in European Union?

The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Used & Second-Hand Cars (HS 8703) in European Union is 6.5% on the CIF value. Same rate as new cars. Age does not affect the import duty rate in the EU.

Is VAT charged on Used & Second-Hand Cars imports to European Union?

Yes. European Union charges VAT at 20% on the CIF value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.

Are there FTA rates available for Used & Second-Hand Cars in European Union?

Yes. CETA/JEFTA: 0%. CETA (Canada), JEFTA (Japan), EU–Korea FTA, EU–Vietnam FTA (EVFTA), EU–UK TCA are the key agreements — verify origin requirements with your customs broker.

How is import duty calculated for Used & Second-Hand Cars entering European Union?

Duty is calculated on the CIF value of the goods. CIF value includes the product cost, international freight, and insurance. The MFN duty of 6.5% is applied to this value. VAT (20%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.