Case Study 23 – Renault Kangoo from Germany

Our customer reached out looking for a reliable work vehicle. We recommended focusing on vans that meet specific criteria to qualify for reduced import taxes. With that guidance, she searched online and found a 2018 Renault Kangoo in Germany that fit the bill. Not only were the taxes low, but the car also came with a Certificate of Conformity (COC), which made the import process smoother.

Preparing Documents Before the Car Arrived in Portugal

While visiting Germany, the customer purchased the car with export plates and drove it back to Portugal. Meanwhile, we began preparing the necessary documents for the vehicle inspection.

Engine Number Trouble

The first inspection didn’t go as planned—the inspector couldn’t locate the engine number, which led to an initial failure. We advised the customer to contact Renault directly, and they were able to confirm the engine number. With that information, the car passed the inspection on the second attempt.

Customs Application – Missing Registration Document

There was one more hiccup during the customs process. Although the customer had the German export documents, customs unexpectedly requested the previous owner’s registration document. Luckily, the dealership in Germany had retained a copy from when they originally imported the Kangoo from the Czech Republic. We were able to obtain this document and proceed with the application without further delay.

Key Takeaways

• The Renault Kangoo is a great choice for import if it qualifies as a “work van” under Portuguese import tax rules.
• The engine number can sometimes be hard to locate during inspection. It’s wise to research its location ahead of time to avoid delays.
• When buying a car with German export plates, make sure to also get a copy of the previous owner’s registration document—it may be requested during customs.