Documents and Registering an Imported Car: a Checklist
The car has arrived — but that's only half the job. To drive it legally you must process the paperwork correctly and register the car. Here's a clear checklist of what's needed and in what order.
1. Documents from China (prepared at purchase)
- Invoice (sales contract) with the price — the basis for the customs value.
- Export documents and proof of origin (for ICE cars an ST-1 certificate gives a duty preference).
- The car's technical data (VIN, year, powertrain, displacement) — these drive clearance.
Errors or mismatches in the documents from China are the main cause of delays in processing. Verify the VIN and trim before shipping.
2. Customs clearance
- Filing the declaration, calculating and paying the charges (duty by powertrain, 12% VAT, recycling fee, processing fee).
- Receiving the customs declaration (GTD) — the key document confirming legal import.
- How charges are counted is in the customs guide; the figure is in the calculator.
3. Certification (SBKTS)
- Obtaining the SBKTS / vehicle safety certificate confirming compliance.
4. Registration and plates
- Registration with the authorities and plates. EVs get "green" plates and incentives.
- Arranging insurance.
Tip
The most common problem is a mismatch between documents and the actual trim/VIN. So a turn-key purchase with document checks at the deal stage saves weeks of processing. How the safe process is organised is in the import guide.
