Case Study 3 – Volkswagen Amarok with Taxes from Germany

In early 2024, a customer reached out to us with a specific question: what type of vehicle could he purchase with the lowest possible import taxes? Since he was already living in Portugal, he didn’t qualify for a tax-free import, so we needed to find the most tax-efficient option for him.

Big Tax Discounts for Work Vehicles

We informed him that work vans and pickup trucks receive substantial tax discounts in Portugal because they’re classified as work vehicles. This made pickups like the VW Amarok an attractive choice, so he decided to purchase one from Germany. A 10-year old Amarok like this one also receives the maximum age discount.

Once he had the vehicle, we advised him to obtain the Certificate of Conformity (COC) immediately so we could initiate the import process upon his arrival in Portugal.

The customer drove the Amarok from Germany to Portugal on export plates, hoping to use them until the truck was fully registered.

Vehicle Modifications = More Paperwork

However, we encountered an issue: the truck’s registration had been altered. It had originally been fitted with oversized rims, which had since been removed.

Because of this alteration, we had to go through the individualized homologation (type approval) process with IMT. This meant a new technical sheet and sign-off from a brand representative—adding both time and cost, as those extra signatures don’t come free.

As a result, the whole process stretched on a few weeks longer than a standard import. Unfortunately, the export plates expired before the new ones were ready, leaving the customer in a tough spot.

Since the truck needed to get to inspection but couldn’t legally be driven, he had two choices: either arrange for a trailer or… let’s say, take the scenic route with expired export plates.

Still Cheaper than Buying in Portugal

Despite the extra paperwork and time caused by the registration modification, the Amarok was eventually approved by the authorities. Even with the added steps, it turned out to be a smart investment for the customer, still costing less than a similar truck bought in Portugal.

And, let’s be honest—there’s something reassuring about a German truck; they’re known for taking good care of their vehicles, and now he’s got a well-maintained ride to boot!

Key takeaways:

• If your car is altered, you can expect a longer import process
• If you buy a car to import, opt of something that is not altered
• Pickup trucks are great vehicles to import to Portugal, tax-wise