Exporting a car from the UK to the European Union after Brexit involves significantly more bureaucracy than before. Where cars previously moved freely between the UK and EU member states, they now cross a customs border — requiring declarations, potentially paying import duties and VAT, and completing additional documentation. In 2026, this guide covers everything you need to know about exporting a car from the UK to an EU country.

How Brexit Changed Car Exports

Before Brexit, the UK was part of the EU's single market and customs union, meaning goods — including vehicles — moved between the UK and EU countries without customs declarations or import duties. Post-Brexit, the UK is a third country from the EU's perspective, meaning cars exported to the EU are subject to EU import rules and UK export rules.

This applies to all private vehicles and commercial vehicles being permanently exported from the UK to an EU country. Temporary exports — for example, taking your UK-registered car on holiday to France — are treated differently and are generally permitted for up to 6 months per year without changing the vehicle's UK registration.

UK Export Requirements

To export a car permanently from the UK to the EU, you must:

  • Notify DVLA: Complete the V5C/2 export notification form to tell DVLA the vehicle is leaving the UK
  • Surrender the V5C: The original registration certificate (V5C) must be sent to DVLA Swansea
  • Get an export certificate: DVLA will issue confirmation that the vehicle has been exported
  • Cancel road tax: Notify DVLA of the export, which will cancel the road tax automatically

You should retain a copy of the DVLA export confirmation for your records and for use in the EU import process.

EU Import Requirements

When your car arrives in an EU country, it becomes an imported vehicle subject to that country's registration rules. EU-wide requirements include:

  • Type approval: UK vehicles may need to meet local type approval standards, or the importing country's equivalent of IVA testing
  • Emissions standards: EU countries have their own emissions standards for vehicle registration
  • Customs declaration: The car must be declared to customs in the destination EU country
  • Import duty: EU import duty on cars is 10 percent of the vehicle value under WTO most-favoured-nation rules
  • VAT: EU VAT at the destination country's rate applies to the vehicle value plus shipping and duty

VAT Considerations for EU Car Exports

The VAT treatment of exported cars depends on your status — whether you are exporting as a private individual or as a business:

Private Individual Export

When a private individual exports their car to the EU, they pay import VAT in the destination country. This is typically charged at the standard rate applicable in that country — 21 percent in the Netherlands, 19 percent in Germany, 20 percent in France, for example. The VAT is calculated on the vehicle value plus shipping costs and import duty.

Business Export

UK businesses exporting cars to the EU can zero-rate the supply for UK VAT purposes, provided they obtain evidence of export — typically a copy of the export documentation and the EU importer's VAT number. UK businesses can also reclaim VAT in the destination country through the VAT refund scheme.

Shipping Methods

The most common ways to ship a car from the UK to Europe:

  • Container shipping: The car is loaded into a 20ft or 40ft container. Cost: GBP 800 to GBP 2,000 depending on destination and vehicle size. Recommended for high-value vehicles.
  • RORO shipping: The car is driven onto the vessel. Cost: GBP 500 to GBP 1,200. Most common for standard vehicles.
  • Eurotunnel: For driving the car to France yourself as part of a permanent move — you can drive onto the Eurotunnel train and collect on the other side. More practical for permanent relocation than single-vehicle export.

Which EU Country Is Best for Car Exports?

Some EU countries have more favourable import rules and lower total costs than others. Cyprus, Malta and Bulgaria — which have lower VAT rates or special arrangements — are sometimes used as initial import destinations before re-exporting within the EU. However, the complexity and cost of this approach should be weighed against the savings.

Key Documentation Checklist

  • Original UK V5C registration certificate
  • DVLA export confirmation letter
  • Bill of lading from shipping company
  • Commercial invoice or proof of purchase value
  • Export customs declaration (EXA form)
  • Insurance certificate
  • Passport or identity document