Importing a car from the United States to Portugal can be a great deal\u2014an American classic, a muscle car, a pickup truck\u2014but it can also turn into a financial nightmare if you don't know exactly<\/strong> what you'll pay and what could go wrong. There is little reliable, up-to-date information on this topic, especially in Portuguese. This guide brings together everything we've learned in the field, with an American dealer's license and hundreds of imported vehicles.<\/p>\n In summary:<\/strong> The cost of importing isn't just \u00abthe price of the car + shipping.\u00bb It's the price + customs + ISV + VAT + type approval + IUC<\/strong>. And for newer, high-displacement cars, the Portuguese ISV (based on CO\u2082) can be exorbitant\u2014sometimes even more expensive than the car itself. Throughout this guide, we\u2019ll show you how to avoid this pitfall.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The U.S. market offers what Europe doesn't: muscle cars, Detroit classics, full-size pickups, models that were never sold here, and purchase prices that are often lower. For dealers and collectors, the profit margin is there \u2014 as long as you do the math carefully before buying<\/strong>, not later.<\/p>\n There are, however, two structural differences compared to a car purchased in the EU:<\/p>\n The total cost of importing a car from the U.S. to Portugal is broken down into three categories.<\/p>\n Shipping costs depend on the port of origin (East Coast vs. West Coast), the weight of the car, and the carrier. Added to this are customs clearance and the DAV<\/strong> (Vehicle Customs Declaration), which is submitted to the Tax Authority.<\/p>\n Inspection (IPO), certification (national by the IMT, or European via the COC), registration, license plates, and vehicle registration. For a car without a European COC\u2014typically an American car\u2014the following is required: Individual approval at the IMT<\/strong>, which can be technical and time-consuming.<\/p>\n Here's the best news for anyone who imports classic cars. A vehicle with 30 years or older<\/strong>, in its original condition and a model no longer in production, can be classified as collectible (tariff code 9705)<\/strong>. This system, common to the entire European Union<\/strong>, offers two huge advantages:<\/p>\n That is why the overwhelming majority of Autozilla vehicles are classics from 30+ years ago<\/strong>: the tax framework is much more favorable. (The 9705 tariff classification is subject to case-by-case confirmation by the customs broker.)<\/em><\/p>\n If you import a car recent<\/strong> (under 30 years old) and imported directly from the U.S. for registration in Portugal, the CO\u2082-based ISV can skyrocket to five-digit figures\u2014in extreme cases, more expensive than the car<\/strong>. Portugal is one of the EU countries that imposes the highest CO\u2082 taxes.<\/p>\n There is a legal way to reduce this bill: enroll first in another EU country<\/strong> (which incurs lower CO\u2082 taxes) and only then import the vehicle into Portugal as a used vehicle from within the EU\u2014thereby benefiting from the age-based tax deduction. This is exactly the analysis \u00abwhere to enroll<\/strong>\u00bbwhich we do before each import. Each country has its own rules:\"<\/p>\n \u2192 See also the specific details for enroll in Portugal<\/a> or Contact Us<\/a> for a customized simulation.<\/em><\/p>\n Be wary of deals that are \u00abtoo good to be true.\u00bb Always check the vehicle\u2019s history (total loss, accidents, mileage). before<\/strong> to pay. Be sure to factor in the euro-to-dollar exchange rate when budgeting. And remember: the cost of mechanical modifications (headlights, turn signals, etc.) is not included in the taxes and can amount to hundreds of euros.<\/p>\n We operate directly from California with a U.S. dealer license. Our vehicles are shipped to Portugal legally cleared through customs<\/strong>, with all documentation in order, ready for B2B resale. We perform a complete tax analysis before<\/strong> for each purchase\u2014including the best country of entry into the EU\u2014so there are no surprises.<\/p>\n Contact us on WhatsApp<\/strong><\/a> or see the our inventory in Portugal<\/a>.<\/p>\n How much does it cost to import a car from the U.S. to Portugal?<\/strong> It depends on the value, engine displacement, CO\u2082 emissions, and age. For a classic car (30+ years old), the collection program significantly reduces the bill (customs duty 0 %, ISV based only on engine displacement). For a recent, high-performance car, the ISV linked to CO\u2082 emissions can be very high. Request a customized estimate.<\/p>\n Do classic cars pay less in taxes?<\/strong> Yes. Vehicles that are 30+ years old and imported from their country of origin are classified as collectibles (9705): customs duties are 0, and the % and ISV taxes are calculated based solely on engine displacement, without the CO\u2082 component.<\/p>\n Do I have to pay VAT when importing from the U.S.?<\/strong> Yes. For a direct import from a third country (the U.S.), the 23 % VAT is always due on the value plus customs duties.<\/p>\n Can I import a car with a \u00absalvage\u00bb title?<\/strong> In Portugal, it is possible but requires a lot of effort (individual approval). In France and Spain, it is, in practice, not allowed. Poland and Belgium are more flexible.<\/p>\n How long does it take?<\/strong> Expect it to take several weeks to several months, mainly due to shipping logistics and individual approval by the IMT.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Importar um Carro dos EUA para Portugal: o Guia Completo (2026) Importar um carro dos Estados Unidos para Portugal pode ser um excelente neg\u00f3cio \u2014 um cl\u00e1ssico americano, uma muscle car, um pickup \u2014 mas tamb\u00e9m pode tornar-se um pesadelo financeiro se n\u00e3o souber exatamente o que vai pagar e o que pode correr mal. 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Why import a car from the U.S.?<\/h2>\n
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How much does it cost? The components of the cost<\/h2>\n
1. Taxes and fees (the surprising part)<\/h3>\n
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2. Transportation and customs clearance<\/h3>\n
3. Vehicle Registration and Bureaucracy in Portugal<\/h3>\n
The \u00abclassic\u00bb plan: the major advantage of the 30+ years plan<\/h2>\n
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The pitfall to avoid: recent large-engine cars<\/h2>\n
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Step-by-Step Guide to Importing<\/h2>\n
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Mistakes and Fraud to Avoid<\/h2>\n
Why Autozilla?<\/h2>\n
Want to import an American car safely?<\/h3>\n
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n