Car import guide: every document and step
One guide for each step, in the order you will need them, and under each step a page for each of its costs and documents. Every page rests on official laws and authority pages read on 23/09/2026, which it lists at the end.
Importing into Serbia, step by step
- Which used cars can be imported, and who pays no duty
Euro 3 in Serbia, Euro 5 in BiH, no age limit, and when duty (in BiH also VAT) is waived.
- The CoC: what it is and when you need it
The manufacturer's data sheet for the car. Check that it is in the folder before you pay.
- Buying in Germany: the export declaration (ABD, MRN) and the German VAT
Agree the VAT terms with the dealer, then declare the export; the exit is confirmed at the last EU border.
- EUR.1 and the origin declaration: when the duty is 0%
The proof of EU origin that brings the duty to 0%. Before you pay, agree with the seller who obtains it.
- Export plates (zol tablice): cost, validity and documents
German export plates for the drive home: insurance, HU, fees, road tax and what to carry.
- Export-plate insurance (Doppelkarte): price and where to buy it
- German road tax on export plates: how much and how it is paid
- Car transport from Germany by truck: price, papers, customs and VAT
- International registration certificate on export plates: is it needed?
- Vignettes, tolls and fuel on the drive home from Germany
- Customs clearance of a car in Serbia: border, customs office, duty and VAT
Transit at the border, clearance at an inland customs office, then duty and VAT before the car is released.
- Homologation of an imported car in Serbia: the vehicle check and the ABS certificate
The car is inspected in person and ABS issues the certificate needed to register it (about 21,000 RSD in 2026).
- First registration of an imported car in Serbia
Insurance, inspection, fees and taxes, then MUP: plates at once, the saobraćajna dozvola within 30 days.
- Technical inspection before first registration in Serbia: price and rules
- Compulsory insurance (AO) for an imported car in Serbia
- MUP fees at registration: plates, registration certificate and sticker
- Serbia's vehicle-use tax in 2026: amounts, reductions, hybrids
- Municipal tax on a car in Serbia: how much it is and how to pay it
- Transfer tax on a used car in Serbia: 2.5%, but not on an import
Importing into Bosnia and Herzegovina, step by step
- Which used cars can be imported, and who pays no duty
Euro 3 in Serbia, Euro 5 in BiH, no age limit, and when duty (in BiH also VAT) is waived.
- The CoC: what it is and when you need it
The manufacturer's data sheet for the car. Check that it is in the folder before you pay.
- Buying in Germany: the export declaration (ABD, MRN) and the German VAT
Agree the VAT terms with the dealer, then declare the export; the exit is confirmed at the last EU border.
- EUR.1 and the origin declaration: when the duty is 0%
The proof of EU origin that brings the duty to 0%. Before you pay, agree with the seller who obtains it.
- Export plates (zol tablice): cost, validity and documents
German export plates for the drive home: insurance, HU, fees, road tax and what to carry.
- Export-plate insurance (Doppelkarte): price and where to buy it
- German road tax on export plates: how much and how it is paid
- Car transport from Germany by truck: price, papers, customs and VAT
- International registration certificate on export plates: is it needed?
- Vignettes, tolls and fuel on the drive home from Germany
- Customs clearance of a car in BiH: transit, homologation and the JCI
Transit at the border, homologation within the deadline, then the JCI, duty and VAT at an inland customs office.
- First registration of an imported car in BiH: FBiH and Republika Srpska
Inspection, AO insurance and the entity's fees, then the MUP issues certificates, plates and a sticker for a year.
- Technical inspection of an imported car in BiH: price and EKO test
- AO insurance in BiH: the premium by kW in FBiH and Republika Srpska
- The road fee at registration in BiH: FBiH and Republika Srpska
- Vehicle-use tax in Republika Srpska: amounts and age reduction
- Environmental fee at car registration in BiH: FBiH and Republika Srpska
- The water fee at car registration in FBiH and Republika Srpska
- Cantonal car tax in FBiH: Sarajevo Canton and the other cantons