Les demande d'autorisation douanière* is the most critical step in the car import process. It’s also where complications can arise.
Customs will look at
- Legal Requirements: Are you the rightful owner of the car? Do you have all the necessary documents to register the car in Portugal? They will look into this.
- Environmental Standards: Does the car meet European environmental regulations? Customs will check CO2 emissions, whether the car has a particle filter, and if it complies with EU homologation (type approval). Once confirmed, they can approve the car and assess any taxes if needed.
- Tax Payments: If the import is subject to tax, customs will determine how much tax is owed. If you qualify for a tax-free import, customs will verify your eligibility. Paying taxes is usually faster and easier than obtaining an exemption. Isn’t it usually easier to pay the government money than to get exempt?
Once Approved
Once your car is approved, douanes issues the DAV document, which includes the license plate number.
Submitting the Customs Application
We handle the submission process for you as part of our services.
What Can Go Wrong?
Customs can be very strict about documentation. Even though we are very familiar with their requirements, there may be instances where they ask for extra proof, such as additional documentation or a personal appearance. In one case, a customer was asked to visit the office in person to explain their previous living situation.
Things tend to become complicated for specific reasons, such as:
- Difficulty in providing proof of living (e.g., if someone has been traveling)
- Additional documentation required for cars from outside the EU (such as a CO2 test)
- Older cars lacking documentation that newer models have (such as a COC)
- Attempts to operate in a “gray area” (e.g., submitting documents that don’t match, late imports, or trying to prove residency when no longer eligible)
We manage the application and address most of the questions from customs, but ultimately, it’s your responsibility to provide the necessary documentation.
Timeline
The customs application can take anywhere from 4 days to several months. This depends on their own availability but mostly on the documentation that is provided.
What Happens After Customs?
Once customs issues the DAV document and license plate number, the next step is IMT registration. Also, you can drive your car with Portuguese plates once you have the DAV document.
*when cars are shipped from overseas, there is also a customs check-up to make sure the cars are allowed to enter the country. That is a different process than the one described here. The customs application comes after.
