Registering an American Car in Poland — and Bringing it to Portugal

Poland is often recommended in import forums as a "cheaper" alternative for clearing customs for an American car in Europe. There's truth to that—but there's also a very real pitfall that doesn't appear in those forums: the excise tax. Before choosing Poland as your entry point, learn the real numbers.

Indicative values 2026 — always confirm with a licensed customs broker before any transaction.

How much does it cost to go through customs and register a vehicle in Poland?

The entry costs for an American car into Poland are divided into four main components:

Customs duties (EU customs)

The tariff is set by the European Union and is identical in all member states:

Code 8703 (passenger car): 10 % Regarding the declared value.
Code 8704 (pickup / goods vehicle): 22 %.
Code 9705 (collector's item, classic ≥ 40 years old in Poland): 0 % customs duties + Reduced VAT of 8 % instead of the standard 23 %.

In Poland, the status of pojazd zabytkowy (historic vehicle) requires 40 years old — ten years longer than the 30-year rule in force in Portugal and other EU countries. A car from 1988 is not considered a classic in Poland; one from 1985 might be.

VAT (Polish VAT)

Standard rate: 23 %, applied to the value plus customs duties.
Reduced rate for collection (NC 9705): 8 %.

Akcyza — the tax that changes everything

A excise tax This is the special consumption tax on automobiles in Poland. The rates for motor vehicles are:

3,1 % for engines ≤ 2000 cc.
18,6 % for engines > 2000 cc.

What makes it different from any other EU country: the akcyza is due at the time of customs clearance, with a payment term of approximately 14 days from the moment of entry into Polish territory — even if you never intend to register your car in Poland.

In other words: unlike in France, Belgium, Germany, or the Netherlands—where you can import, store, and only pay the registration tax upon licensing—in Poland There is no option for "remains in warehouse without tax".«. As soon as the car pulls in, the Akcyza clock starts ticking.

For a typical American V8 (5000 cc), this represents 18,6 % Regarding the vehicle's value, plus the 10 % customs fees and the 23 % VAT, the bill can quickly escalate.

Akcyza's Trap

Let's look at a simplified example (indicative values):

Component	Base value: €20,000
Customs duties (10 %)	2 000 €
Akcyza (18.6 % × €20,000)	3 720 €
VAT base (20,000 + 2,000)	22 000 €
VAT (23 %)	5 060 €
Total taxes due	≈ 10,780 €

Polish registration fees are added to these amounts (rejestracjatechnical inspectionprzegląd techniczny) and any necessary adaptations. The registration cost itself is modest (a few hundred euros), but Akcyza is not.

Attention: The 18.6 % Akcyza fee is calculated based on the vehicle's value, not the customs tax base. Confirm the exact calculation basis with your customs broker, as there are nuances in customs valuation.

Salvage — the Most Flexible Country in Europe

Where Poland truly excels is in the treatment of vehicles with salvage title American.

The Polish market for historic North American salvage vehicles is one of the largest in Europe. Case law favors reconstruction and legalization, and inspection centers have experience with this type of vehicle. In practice:

Salvage titles (Rebuilt/Reconstructed): Accepted, subject to detailed technical inspection.
Junk / Parts Only / Certificate of Destruction Titles: not accepted These are not legal in any EU country.

In comparison: France and Spain practically reject any vehicle with a salvage history. Belgium is more flexible, but with less specialized infrastructure. Poland combines legal acceptance and a network of experienced workshops—making it the... first European choice for reconstructed salvage.

If the goal is to legalize an American car with a history of accidents and then bring it to Portugal as an intra-community used car, Poland is the most mature market to do so.

Poland vs Portugal: Is the Detour Worth It?

The real question for the Portuguese importer is not "is it possible?" — it's "is it financially worthwhile?".

Criteria	Poland (entry) → PT after	Portugal direct
Akcyza (>2000 cc)	18.6 % in customs clearance	-
ISV in Portugal (recent car)	Intra-community age-related culling	Total ISV (Vehicle Tax) without discount.
Classic 9705	0 % rights + VAT 8 %	0 % rights + VAT 23 % (but favorable ISV)
Salvage	Very flexible	Demanding (individual IMT approval)
Pojazd zabytkowy	40 years and older	N/A (regime 9705 PT = 30 years)

When Poland can compensate:

The car has a salvage title and has been rebuilt, and no other EU country will readily accept it.
It's a Polish or American classic with an established market in Poland, and the intention is to sell it there before eventually bringing it to Portugal.
It has a partnership with a specialized Polish operator that absorbs some of the bureaucratic costs.

When Poland probably isn't worth it:

The goal is simply to "enter the EU more cheaply" — Akcyza makes this illusory for engines > 2000 cc.
They prefer to minimize the immediate tax burden and store the car before deciding where to register it — this is not possible in Poland.
The car is less than 40 years old and wants to benefit from the collector's item regime — Poland requires 40 years, other EU countries accept 30.

For most of the American classics that Autozilla works on — cars 30+ years old, generally without a salvage history — Belgium or France offer more advantageous conditions., with reduced VAT on collection (6 % and 5.5 % respectively) and without akcyza.

Do you want a customized simulation?

Each vehicle is a unique case. The VIN, year, engine size, title history, and final destination determine the most economical country of entry. We conduct this analysis before each transaction.

Contact us on WhatsApp — Quick answer, no obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Akcyza and when is it paid? This is the Polish excise tax on automobiles. It is mandatory to pay it at customs clearance (within approximately 14 days of entering Polish territory), regardless of whether the car is registered or not. The rate is 3.1 % for vehicles ≤ 2000 cc and 18.6 % for vehicles > 2000 cc.

Can I clear my car through customs in Poland and store it without registering it? Not without paying the akcyza. Unlike other EU countries, Poland requires payment at customs clearance—not at registration. It is not possible to "freeze" the process before this step.

Does Poland accept cars with American salvage titles? Yes, it is the most flexible country in Europe in this respect. Salvage Rebuilt/Reconstructed is accepted subject to technical inspection. Junk/Parts Only/Certificate of Destruction are prohibited throughout the EU.

What is the minimum age for classical football in Poland? 40 years (pojazd zabytkowyIn Portugal and other EU countries, the collection regime (NC 9705) applies from the age of 30.

After registering my car in Poland, can I bring it to Portugal? Yes, as an intra-community vehicle. In that case, in Portugal it benefits from an age-related reduction in the ISV (Vehicle Tax) – which can significantly reduce the tax bill compared to a direct import from the USA.

Which country is the cheapest place to import a classic American car into the EU? It depends on the specific case. For classic cars without a salvage history, Belgium and France are often more economical (reduced VAT on collections, without Akcyza). For salvage, Poland is generally the best option. Ask for a quote.