Customs Clearance and Registration of Your Imported Car

What is the registration tax (BIV) and what does it cost?

BIV stands for the Belgian tax on putting a vehicle into circulation (Belasting op de Inverkeerstelling). It is a one-time tax you pay when you first register a vehicle in your name in Belgium. How much you pay depends on factors such as fiscal horsepower, CO2 emissions, fuel type and the age of the vehicle. Because this is regulated tax data that changes, we do not quote amounts here. For an exact figure, use the official BIV calculator of the Flemish Tax Service. We then help you complete the registration correctly.

Which documents do you need to register an imported car?

Registering a German or Dutch car in Belgium

Many of our clients buy their car in Germany or the Netherlands. For these EU countries, registration is straightforward as long as the paperwork is complete. For a German car you usually need the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II, for a Dutch car the kentekenbewijs and the transfer code (tenaamstellingscode). We check the documents, arrange the clearance and the Belgian registration, and tell you in advance if anything is missing.

Technical inspection before registration

For the final registration of an imported car, a valid technical inspection is usually required. We can combine this with the clearance for you. See our technical inspection service or add it in the price calculator above.

Homologation for non-EU imports

Cars from outside the EU, such as US-spec vehicles, usually need homologation before they can be registered. This step normally comes before the customs registration and BIV. See our homologation service to understand what is involved.