Case Study 51 – Volvo XC40 from the United Arab Emirates

This customer approached us while their vehicle was already in transit from the United Arab Emirates to Portugal. Because the car originated from outside the EU, it required a special approval process with IMT known as “individual approval” (individual homologation).

Individual Approval Process

We typically recommend starting the individual approval process before the vehicle is shipped, as it often takes around 6 weeks (or longer). Ideally, this process should begin while the car is still in transit, allowing for faster inspection upon arrival.

In this case, the car had already been shipped. To initiate the approval process, we require a photo of the vehicle’s VIN plate. Unfortunately, this could only be obtained once the car arrived in Lisbon, resulting in a delay of more than one month.

Documentation

Fortunately, the client was eligible for tax-free importation, which simplified part of the process.

While waiting for the approval, the client gathered the required documentation. One of the main challenges was providing suitable proof of residence (“proof of living”) within the EU.

• The client did not have payslips from the UAE due to not having a regular job
• Therefore, alternative documentation was required
• We successfully used energy bills and bank statements as valid proof

Customs Application

Once the inspection was completed and all documentation submitted, the process progressed smoothly:

• No additional questions were raised by customs
• The application was approved without any issues

Key Takeaways

• Start early: When importing a non-EU vehicle, begin the individual approval process before shipping to avoid delays
• Check eligibility: Always confirm tax exemption eligibility in advance—while it worked out in this case, it could have caused complications
• Plan ahead: Contact us before relocating so we can guide the process and ensure everything runs as efficiently as possible