Case Study 34 – Mercedes Sprinter from the Netherlands

This case is a great example of how importing a vehicle with taxes can sometimes be the smartest option, especially with work vans.

A customer contacted us about importing a 2012 Mercedes Sprinter. While she wasn’t eligible for tax-free import, the vehicle was classified as a work van, meaning the taxes were minimal, less than €350. In this case, importing the vehicle with taxes wasn’t just the only option, it turned out to be the best option too.

Documentation

For a van like this, gathering the required paperwork is simple. All that’s needed is:

• The vehicle documentation (including the COC)
• A few personal documents (such as passport and NIF number)

COCs and Work Vans

While European Type Approval has been mandatory for passenger cars since the late 1990s, this rule came much later for commercial vehicles.
Every vehicle must have Type Approval to be eligible for a COC.

In this case, the 2012 Mercedes Sprinter already had one. But if you’re looking at older work vans (especially from the early 2000s), make sure the vehicle has European Type Approval, otherwise, expect more paperwork and added costs.

Inspection Process

The inspection was a bit more involved than usual. The van had been slightly modified, and the customer wanted to keep those changes.
That led to some back-and-forth with the inspection center. Eventually, she managed to get the vehicle approved with the modifications.

Generally, any changes that differ from what’s listed in the official vehicle data must be reverted before inspection.
For example, if someone converts a work van into a camper, they often need to remove everything before it can pass inspection, unless the registration is officially changed.

Bottom line: The vehicle needs to match its documentation.

If not, extra steps (and costs) may apply.

Fast Approval

Once the taxes were paid, everything moved very quickly. The van was approved faster than usual, and the process ended up being very smooth for the customer.

Key Takeaways

• Work vans can qualify for major tax reductions, especially if they are from 2015 or earlier
• Make sure the van has European Type Approval or a COC to avoid delays and extra costs
• Don’t make modifications you can’t undo. If the van doesn’t match the paperwork, the process gets harder (and more expensive)