Car Registration in Poland — Step by Step

Car registration from the USA involves vehicle repairs, including adapting it to EU standards. The vehicle must then undergo technical inspection (accident-related and periodic) and pay excise duty. After paying the excise duty, documents are submitted to the vehicle registration office, including the invoice, technical inspection reports, and excise duty confirmation. After registration, you will receive license plates and a temporary registration certificate, and you must also obtain mandatory liability insurance (OC).

The registration of a car imported from the USA is the final but essential step of the entire import process. For the vehicle to legally drive on Polish roads, several technical, tax, and administrative requirements must be met. Below is a clear description of all the steps.

Vehicle Repair

If the vehicle was imported as damaged (which is most common for cars from Copart and IAAI auctions), its registration in Poland will not be possible without prior repairs. The repair should be carried out in compliance with safety standards and legal regulations, ensuring that the car can safely pass technical inspections.

Additionally, the vehicle must be adapted to the requirements of the European Union, which typically include:

• Replacing or adapting headlights to the European version,
• Installing a rear fog light,
• Adjusting rear turn signals,
• Scaling the speedometer to km/h.

Technical Inspections: Accident-related and Periodic

After completing the repairs, technical inspections must be conducted, which are required for registration:

• Accident-related inspection is mandatory for all vehicles that were imported as damaged and had damage recorded in the import documents.
• Periodic inspection is a standard technical inspection confirming that the vehicle is roadworthy.

Both inspections are carried out at a vehicle inspection station, and the results must be positive for the vehicle to proceed to the next steps.

Excise Duty Payment

Any vehicle imported from outside the European Union is subject to excise duty. This obligation must be fulfilled within 30 days from the vehicle's importation date, as indicated in the customs documents (e.g., import declaration).

The excise duty declaration (AKC-U/S) can be submitted:

• Traditionally at the tax office, or
• Online through the Electronic Tax and Customs Service Platform (PUESC) — which is much faster and more convenient.

Once the declaration is approved, the system generates the amount to be paid and the account number. Only after settling this payment can the vehicle be registered.

Vehicle Registration

The final step is submitting documents to the vehicle registration office and registering the car. Required documents include:

• Registration application,
• Original title of ownership (with sworn translation),
• Purchase invoice or document confirming the acquisition of the vehicle,
• Customs documents (also translated),
• Excise duty payment confirmation,
• Technical inspection certificates,
• Proof of payment for registration fees (for license plates, registration certificate, legalization marks, etc.).

After the application is positively reviewed, you will receive license plates and a temporary registration certificate, valid for 30 days. During this time, the permanent registration certificate will be issued.

Don’t forget to also purchase mandatory liability insurance (OC), which must be obtained by the day of vehicle registration.