How to buy a car in Germany and bring it to Romania: HU, documents and export

The short answer: do not pay a deposit until the VIN, seller, original documents, final price and condition of the car are consistent. Then choose one documented transport solution to Romania and deal separately with RAR, VAT, local taxation and registration. This guide is for a Romanian-resident private individual, not registered for VAT, buying for personal use a car registered in Germany.

Before the deposit: the person, the car and the documents

Compare the VIN on the car with that in the contract or invoice, Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and Teil II. Check the seller's identity, authority or chain of ownership and ask for the originals. Teil II is required in the export and registration process, but holding it does not conclusively prove ownership. A copy does not universally replace the original required by RAR or SPCRPCIV. If the VIN differs, an original is missing or authority to sell is unclear, stop payment. 1 2 3 4

The contract or invoice must identify the parties, VIN, final price and actual VAT treatment. The net price in the advert is not automatically the price for a Romanian private buyer. Export, insurance and transport are individually determined, and unknown amounts remain to be determined. 2

From 25 February 2026, Article 159(5²) requires the buyer of a means of transport to provide the tax clearance certificate concerning obligations to the local budget at their domicile, or electronic verification, and paragraph (6) provides for the nullity of acts concluded in breach of the stated requirements. Primary sources do not expressly explain the territorial application or mechanism for a direct contract with a foreign seller. Before signing, confirm the specific procedure with the competent local tax authority; do not automatically assume validity, nullity or exemption. 8 9 3

HU, history and physical condition

A valid HU is a periodic inspection, not a comprehensive condition report. Ask for the HU report and service evidence, then check accessible repairs, chassis, brakes, tyres, leaks, cold starting, diagnostics and a legal test drive. Mark inaccessible items as unchecked. 5 2

Keep three layers distinct: documents and registers describe what is recorded, the physical inspection describes the accessible condition on the day of the check, and RAR, the tax authority and SPCRPCIV set the Romanian requirements. 4 10 11

RAR Auto-Pass shows only data in the RAR register. It costs 42 lei when data exist, is valid for 60 days, and where there are no data it produces a free negative result that does not prove a clean or complete history in Germany. The obligation to provide it applies to vehicles registered, recorded or placed on the market in Romania and is not automatically imposed on the German seller at the first direct import. 12 13

A CarAudit inspection can cover up to 270 points, depending on access, a lift and a legal test drive. It does not involve dismantling, does not cover faults arising later and is not a civil warranty; it does not replace history checks, transport, RAR, taxation or registration. 11

Transport from Germany

For permanent export on the road, use Ausfuhrkennzeichen, not simple deregistration as presumed permission to drive. The Berlin example requires originals, Teil I and II, valid HU, existing plates when the car is registered there, export insurance and tax formalities. As this is a local example, confirm the competent authority and the conditions for your case. 2 1

Yellow Kurzzeitkennzeichen are not the standard solution for the DE–AT–HU–RO example. Recognition of temporary plates is not harmonised. Confirm registration, roadworthiness inspection and insurance in writing for the date, owner, driver and each country crossed. German issue does not prove acceptance all the way to Romania; where any link is undocumented, choose carriage on a vehicle transporter. 6 7

In Romania: RAR, tax authority and registration

For a used vehicle last registered in Germany, RAR issues the CIV directly only where there is EU type approval and the approved configuration has not been altered; otherwise, individual approval may be required. RAR carries out the technical inspection and authenticity certification. The CoC is compulsory in the WLTP route identified by RAR, generally for vehicles made after 31 August 2018, but the year alone does not decide: RAR classifies the VIN and exact activity. That route is for the EU, not Swiss customs import. 4 14 15

Authenticity concerns identification and the foreign document. The certificate serves one registration only and is valid for a maximum of 60 days; on its own, it does not prove condition, ownership, the absence of finance or history. 10 15

Declare the car to the competent local tax authority within 30 days of issue of the CIV, not from the contract, then record the ownership document for tax purposes. The SPCRPCIV competent for your domicile requires, as applicable, the tax-recorded document, identity, CIV, RCA in the name of the owner or authorised holder, valid ITP and authenticity certification, fees, originals and foreign plates; some checks may be electronic. 16 3 17 18

VAT and the ANAF certificate

A car is new for VAT purposes if it has no more than 6,000 km OR is delivered no more than six months after first registration. It is used only if it has more than 6,000 km AND more than six months have passed; equality at either threshold remains in the ‘new’ route. 19 20

For a private buyer not registered for VAT, a new-for-VAT-purposes vehicle bought intra-Community is taxable in Romania at the standard rate of 21%. A vehicle exceeding both thresholds does not generally generate additional acquisition VAT in Romania, but the invoice depends on the seller and the normal or margin scheme. Do not assume a net price, deduction or refund. 19 20 22

The file for an intra-Community buyer not registered for VAT requires the ANAF certificate confirming VAT paid or not due. For a new-for-VAT-purposes vehicle, D301 and payment are completed before registration, no later than the applicable tax deadline; foreign documents lodged with ANAF have authorised Romanian translations. The ANAF certificate is distinct from the local tax clearance certificate and does not belong to the Swiss customs procedure. 3 17 21 20

Applicable budget

On 10 September 2026, the certificate is 49 lei and two type-A plates are 52 lei: 101 lei for these items only. From 15 September, the certificate is 76 lei and the limited subtotal becomes 128 lei if the plates remain 26 lei each. The provisional authorisation is 25 lei from 15 September. RAR, RCA, translations, transport, German fees and local tax remain to be determined, so there is no complete import total. 18 23 24

Frequently asked questions

When is a car ‘new’ for VAT purposes?

It is new if it has no more than 6,000 km OR is delivered no more than six months after first registration. It is used only if it has more than 6,000 km AND more than six months have passed. Equality at either threshold keeps it in the new route. 19, 20

What is the ANAF certificate for when buying from Germany?

For an intra-Community buyer not registered for VAT, the certificate shows that VAT has been paid or is not due. For a new-for-VAT-purposes vehicle, D301 and payment preced registration. The ANAF certificate is distinct from the local tax clearance certificate. 3, 17, 21, 20

Does the local tax clearance certificate automatically determine the validity of the German contract?

Primary sources do not expressly explain the territorial application and mechanism of Article 159(5²)/(6) for a direct contract with a foreign seller. Before signing, confirm the certificate or electronic verification with the competent local tax authority; do not automatically state validity, nullity or exemption. 8, 9, 3

Can I drive from Germany with Romanian provisional plates?

No. The Romanian authorisation is issued in the owner's name and permits driving only in Romania. The normal limit is 90 cumulative days; without foreign registration documents, the special route is a maximum of five days. Valid RCA for the required person is necessary. 17

Do the 90 days allow the use of any German plates until registration?

No. The limit starts upon entry into Romania and works only while the vehicle is insured. It does not extend registration, plates, roadworthiness inspection or insurance that expires earlier, does not run from the contract and does not validate international transit. 27

Does a negative RAR Auto-Pass result mean that the car has not had damage?

No. Auto-Pass shows only data in the RAR register. The free negative result does not prove a clean or complete history abroad. Where data exist, the document costs 42 lei and is valid for 60 days. 12, 13

When does the 30-day deadline for the local tax declaration begin?

For a vehicle acquired outside Romania, the deadline runs from RAR issuing the CIV, not from the contract. The ownership document is then recorded in the local tax records. 16, 3

Is a CarAudit inspection available for a car in Germany?

Germany is within the published coverage: EUR 239 including VAT and travel, with the report within 48 hours of the inspection, excluding weekends and holidays, and battery diagnostics are +EUR 179. Confirm the location, date, access and scope. The service does not promise an outcome, warranty, transport, RAR or registration; no order has been sent for your car. 25, 26, 11

If you have already selected a car in Germany, you can request an independent inspection before the deposit. First confirm the location, date, vehicle access and exact scope: availability and outcome are not guaranteed, and the service does not include transport, RAR, taxation or registration. 25, 26, 11

Sources

1. Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung (FZV) — sections 14 and 45
2. Service Berlin — Ausfuhrkennzeichen export plates
3. Bucharest Prefecture — vehicle-registration guidance
4. RAR — CIV for used vehicles last registered in the EU
5. TÜV NORD — AutoKaufCheck
6. Your Europe — Buying or leasing a car abroad
7. Your Europe — Buying or leasing a car abroad
8. Romanian Tax Procedure Code, consolidated text — Article 159
9. Emergency Ordinance No. 7 of 24 February 2026
10. RAR — authenticity certification
11. CarAudit Romania — what we inspect
12. RAR Auto-Pass — official service information
13. Law No. 142/2023 — RAR Auto-Pass
14. RAR — documents for DOIIT activities
15. RNTR 7 — authenticity and individual approval
16. Law No. 296/2020 — amendment to Article 471(3)
17. MAI Order No. 181/2024 — registration and provisional circulation
18. MAI service hub — vehicle registration
19. Your Europe — VAT when buying or selling a car abroad
20. ANAF Brașov — VAT and vehicle acquisitions
21. ANAF Order No. 1611/2022
22. ANAF — Romanian VAT rates
23. MAI Order No. 55/2025 — registration-plate tariffs
24. Buzău Prefecture — fee notice dated 2 September 2026
25. CarAudit Romania — home and order section
26. CarAudit Romania — frequently asked questions
27. Emergency Ordinance No. 195/2002 — Article 82(4)