Vehicle export without detours

What does "export" mean when buying a car?

A vehicle "for export" is a vehicle that will not be registered in the country of sale. The buyer registers and taxes it in the destination country. For the seller, this means: delivery without domestic registration fees and — for delivery to a company in another EU state — without VAT.

Therefore, export offers may initially appear cheaper than offers in the retail market. The price difference is not a discount campaign but a consequence of the tax system: the buyer in the destination country bears the acquisition tax and registration fees incurred there.

Trade assumes commercial buyers. A valid VAT identification number and proof that the vehicle is leaving the country are not mere formalities: if either is missing, the seller is subsequently liable for the tax.

Process in six steps

1. Select and reserve vehicle. Availability is only secured once the vehicle is reserved — stock moves quickly.
2. Offer with price breakdown. Net price, registration fees, and transport are itemized separately to ensure accurate calculation in the destination country.
3. Verify buyer data and VAT ID. The VAT identification number is qualifiedly confirmed and documented with a date.
4. Invoice and payment. Advance payment is customary; release for collection occurs upon receipt of payment.
5. Organize transport. Self-collection with export plates or freight forwarding with a CMR consignment note.
6. Provide proofs. Proof of arrival or exit confirmation are part of the accounting — they serve as evidence for tax exemption.

Required documents

• Invoice with both VAT IDs and a note on the tax-exempt intra-community supply.
• Registration Certificate Part I and II for used vehicles, COC paper (Certificate of Conformity) for new and stock vehicles.
• CMR consignment note as proof of transport for freight forwarding — signed upon receipt in the destination country.
• Proof of arrival for self-collection: buyer's confirmation of the place and time of receipt.
• Export declaration with exit confirmation for deliveries to a third country outside the EU.
• Service history and pre-damage documentation, if available — both are price-relevant for resale.

VAT, NoVA and CO2 levy

Deliveries to a business in another EU country are tax-exempt, with taxation occurring at the buyer's location. For exports to a third country, the tax exemption for export deliveries applies — both depend on proper proof.

For vehicles from Austria, the Normverbrauchsabgabe (NoVA) applies. It is calculated based on CO₂ emissions and is incurred upon registration in Austria. For an exported vehicle, it is not part of the purchase price. For this reason, we show the Net Price and the tax component separately: this is the only way to compare the price with offers from other markets.

A special case is new vehicles in the sense of VAT law — roughly: under six months old or under 6,000 kilometers. For these, the acquisition is always taxed in the destination country, even for private buyers. Check this threshold before making an offer, as it shifts the entire calculation.

Export plates and transport

Anyone collecting the vehicle themselves needs an export license plate with transfer insurance. It is valid for a limited period and must be available before starting the journey. The alternative is freight forwarding: more expensive per vehicle, but without license plates, without a driver, and with the CMR consignment note as clear proof.

For multiple vehicles, consolidated transport is almost always worthwhile. Plan the transport slot in parallel with payment — not afterwards: waiting for an available transporter is often a greater bottleneck in practice than vehicle availability.

Common mistakes

• VAT ID not qualifiedly checked. A simple query is not sufficient in case of dispute. Check with company name and address and file the record.
• Proof missing. Without proof of arrival or exit confirmation, tax exemption will be revoked during an audit — with interest.
• New vehicle threshold overlooked. Six months or 6,000 kilometers determine taxation, not the model year in the brochure.
• Transport costs not included. For inexpensive vehicles, the contribution margin quickly erodes if transport is only calculated afterwards.
• Reservation too late. An offer without a reservation is not a commitment — for popular models, hours count.

Frequently asked questions

What does "export only" mean on a vehicle listing?

The vehicle is sold exclusively to trade buyers who register it outside the country of sale. The seller supplies it tax-free, without domestic registration levies, and needs proof that the car actually leaves the country.

Which documents does the buyer need for vehicle export?

An invoice with both parties' VAT ID numbers, registration certificate parts I and II or a COC document for new vehicles, a CMR consignment note as transport proof and, for exports to a non-EU country, the electronic export declaration with exit confirmation.

Is VAT charged on an intra-EU sale?

A supply to a business with a valid VAT ID in another EU country is tax-exempt; acquisition tax is due in the destination country. This requires a verified VAT ID and solid proof of arrival.

What is NoVA and when is it due?

NoVA is an Austrian registration levy based on CO2 emissions, due on registration in Austria. If a vehicle is exported and registered abroad, it is not part of the export price — which is why we show net price and NoVA share separately.

How long does the process take?

For available stock vehicles, a few business days typically pass between reservation and pickup. The timeframe mainly depends on how quickly payment and transport slot align.

Found a specific vehicle? Go to vehicle search — or contact us, we will check availability and export processing for you.