![This was our first time importing a Dacia. The customer had recently purchased a 2011 Dacia Sandero in the Netherlands and wanted to bring it to Portugal. Since the car was a recent purchase, it couldn’t be imported tax-free. Importing with taxes does simplify the paperwork. COC Subsitute – usually cheaper and quicker The customer […]](https://carimportportugal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/100/Dacia-Sandero.jpg)
This was our first time importing a Dacia. The customer had recently purchased a 2011 Dacia Sandero in the Netherlands and wanted to bring it to Portugal. Since the car was a recent purchase, it couldn’t be imported tax-free. Importing with taxes does simplify the paperwork.
COC Subsitute – usually cheaper and quicker
The customer provided all the required documents for an import with taxes, but didn’t receive a Certificate of Conformity (COC) with the purchase. These documents can take weeks to arrive, but time was limited as Dutch export plates are only valid for about two weeks.
To speed up the process, we arranged a COC substitute through a Portuguese engineer—a solution we’ve been using more frequently. This option is often more affordable than obtaining a COC from the manufacturer and it is significantly faster.
In this case, the substitute was ready in less than a day, allowing us to prepare the paperwork for the inspection almost immediately.
The inspection went smoothly as the car was in its original condition, with no modifications requiring additional paperwork. The customs application was approved in just four days, ensuring everything was completed before the insurance and export plates expired.
Key Takeaways
When time is limited, a COC substitute can speed up the import process significantly.
The process was fast and straightforward because it was an import with taxes, and the car was in its original state, requiring no additional paperwork.
