In short
When importing to order, first define the total budget and vehicle criteria, then check the specific vehicle and documents before buying. Include the purchase price, checks, transport, duties, testing and conformity work, administration, registration and an initial service in the calculation.
Write a specification that can be used
Instead of 'a good family diesel', state your maximum total budget, annual mileage, city or open road, number of passengers, trunk, gearbox, fuel and the equipment you will not go without.
Separate must-have criteria from nice extras. That way the search does not narrow down to color and screen while the service history is overlooked.
The total cost has several lines
Besides the vehicle price, count the check, transport, customs and tax obligations according to the specific origin and documents, testing or conformity work, translations, registration and initial maintenance.
It is not responsible to promise an exact amount without the VIN, documentation and current rates. Ask for a transparent calculation with its assumptions.
Documentation must identify the vehicle unambiguously
The Customs Administration states that documentation should allow proper identification of the vehicle, including the registration certificate or a duly certified copy when the original is not available. The origin and supporting papers affect the procedure.
Check the chassis number in the documents and on the vehicle before paying and arranging transport.
Coordination is part of the service
A good import to order is not just finding an ad. It needs to be recorded who checks the vehicle, who arranges the purchase, who organizes transport and how customs, testing and registration are handled.
AC Bugarski starts the conversation from your needs and confirms the steps and estimate for a specific vehicle, without promising a final price before the documentation is in.
Key points
Three things to remember
- 01
Define a total budget with a reserve, not just the price in the ad.
- 02
Documents and the vehicle's identity are checked before payment.
- 03
Cost and timing depend on the specific vehicle and current procedures.
FAQ
Straight answers
Can the import cost be known from the ad alone?
Not reliably. You need the vehicle details, origin, documents, transport and current obligations.
What is homologation or testing?
These are procedures that check a vehicle's conformity and characteristics under the rules in force. The exact procedure depends on the vehicle and its status.
Does the cheapest vehicle in an ad give the lowest total cost?
Not necessarily. Missing documents, faults, damage or more expensive transport can cancel out the difference in purchase price.
Sources and further reading
This article is informational. Check regulations, conditions and changing figures before a specific procedure.
