Importing a car from Romania to Sweden – a guide for private buyers

Yes, as a private individual resident in Sweden, you can buy a car in Romania for your own use and register it in Sweden. Before paying, determine the VAT branch, secure the original documents and choose transport only once registration, insurance and transit conditions have been confirmed.

Check the car, seller and history before payment

Start with the chassis number, VIN. Compare it on the car with the registration document, Romanian vehicle identity card (CIV), purchase document, inspection history and other certificates. Check that the seller is authorised and that the names and vehicle details match. The purchase document must state the seller, buyer, what is being sold, sale date and VIN or another vehicle-specific identifier; the details are also needed in Sweden. 5 3

Order RAR Auto-Pass through RAR’s official channel using the VIN before payment. Both the seller and buyer may request the document. A certificate containing data can be used for 60 days and may show recorded mileage as well as information from workshops, serious accidents, ITP inspections and recalls. Compare any matches with the car and the originals. 6

Auto-Pass is a limited history record, not proof of ownership or a technical inspection. A negative certificate only means that the VIN is absent from RAR’s databases. It does not prove an accident-free history, correct mileage, ownership or current condition; history before Romania was described as a later development phase. Supplement it with an independent condition inspection, separate from verification of origin, registration inspection and any periodic roadworthiness test. 6

Before handover, you must have a signed ownership-transfer document matching the seller and VIN, the original CIV and the applicable original registration document. The tax rules normally require the seller’s local tax certificate or an approved exemption via the transfer form, and include a buyer check. The material does not explain the procedure for a person resident in Sweden without a Romanian tax locality. Ask the competent local tax office to confirm acceptable supporting documents before signing or payment. 7 8

Determine the VAT branch before doing the calculation

The car is new for Swedish EU VAT purposes if it is delivered within six months of first being put into service or has travelled no more than 6,000 km before delivery. One new-vehicle criterion is sufficient. It is used only when it is both delivered more than six months after first registration and has travelled more than 6,000 km. Document the registration date, delivery date and mileage. 1 2

If the car is new, as a private buyer who is not VAT-registered you must submit SKV 5282 and declare and pay Swedish VAT no later than 35 days after the purchase. The Swedish Tax Agency states 25 % of the invoice price, delivered optional extras and associated freight or handling. Conversion into kronor follows the delivery-date rule, or the invoice date where invoicing is close to delivery. 1

If the car meets both used-vehicle thresholds, Swedish acquisition VAT does not arise simply because of the import. A private seller does not charge VAT. A dealer’s invoice may show VAT separately or use different treatment; check the seller and the invoice, not only the advert or a missing VAT line. No customs duty is charged for the movement to Sweden. 1 2

Choose an export solution and transport without gaps

For driving the car yourself, an owner not resident in Romania can apply to the competent vehicle-registration service for temporary registration for export. It may be valid for a maximum of 30 days, which is a cap and not a promise of the period granted. The application uses original ownership evidence, identity and CIV; valid compulsory motor third-party liability insurance is a condition. Confirm the complete file and the handling of the certificate and plates with the office. 3

Do not use ordinary provisional red plates for export. In total they may be valid for up to 90 days and require RCA in the owner’s name, but driving is limited to Romanian territory. 8

Driving the car yourself requires the right export registration and insurance, and confirmation for the selected plate, driver, dates and cover in every transit country. Romanian documents or RCA do not guarantee recognition along the route. If there is no unbroken chain, choose an insured, registered towing vehicle with a trailer or a specialist carrier. 4 3

The registered owner must request deregistration within 30 days after the car has left Romania for registration abroad. Normally, the registration certificate and plates are surrendered and the basis for export is evidenced. Agree who does this, which originals travel with the car and what receipt you receive; ask the office to confirm the arrangement. 3 8

From arrival to Swedish registration

After arrival, the intended Swedish owner applies for verification of origin. This is the first registration step and the fee is SEK 1,240. If ownership changes before entry in the Swedish Road Traffic Register, the verification ceases to be valid; the new owner applies with the purchase document. For a car previously permanently registered, attach the original registration certificate with all issued parts. For a new WVTA car without previous permanent registration, an original CoC is required. 9 5

Only after approved verification of origin can you book a registration inspection or individual approval. The inspection company checks technical identity, environmental and road-safety requirements, and recorded vehicle data. The vehicle’s specification may require further technical documents. 9

A passed mandatory test from an EU or EEA country may, subject to conditions, be credited at the registration inspection, but not automatically and never as a substitute. Bring the report and ask whether a Swedish periodic roadworthiness test is required. 9 5

After a passed registration inspection or individual approval, the car is registered and receives a registration number. The certificate and plates are sent only to the owner’s Swedish population-registration address. Valid Swedish compulsory motor third-party liability insurance is required before the car is activated for road use when it is subject to mandatory insurance; vehicle-tax payment details follow activation. 9

Driving in Sweden during the waiting period

Without Swedish temporary registration, the car may be used for no more than one week from import, only if the foreign registration permits unrestricted use and valid insurance covers the driving. Carry a legible registration document. The one-week rule does not make an export plate or transit insurance valid in other countries. 10

After the week, or immediately if the foreign registration is not valid, the car may not be used without Swedish temporary registration. A certificate of a booked inspection permits only the shortest appropriate journey there and back; otherwise, a trailer is required. 10

Swedish temporary registration is applied for with the verification of origin, is valid for three months and cannot be extended. Unrestricted use requires that the car has been brought in from an EEA country and that the foreign registration permits unrestricted use in Romania. Swedish compulsory motor third-party liability insurance must be valid throughout use. A 30-day insurance certificate leaves the car uninsured from day 31 if new Swedish insurance is not in place. 10

Budget without a misleading total

Enter the actual purchase price, exchange rate, quotations and vehicle details. The transport branches are alternatives and must not be added together. Without a confirmed car and route, a total would be misleading.

Practical final check

Do not mark an item complete until you have the document or confirmation in hand.

When is the car considered used for Swedish EU VAT?

Only when both conditions are met: delivery more than six months after first registration and mileage over 6,000 km. If the car is no more than six months old or has travelled no more than 6,000 km, it is considered new under this VAT branch. 1, 2

What must I do if the car is new under the VAT rules?

As a private buyer resident in Sweden who is not VAT-registered, you must submit SKV 5282 and declare and pay Swedish VAT no later than 35 days after the purchase. The tax rate is 25 % and the basis includes the invoice price, optional extras and associated freight or handling under the Swedish Tax Agency’s conversion rule. 1

Is an RAR Auto-Pass enough to check the car?

No. It shows only information registered in RAR’s Romanian databases. A negative certificate means that the VIN is absent there, not that the car has no damage or problems. The document does not prove ownership, complete history, correct mileage or current mechanical condition. 6

Can I drive to Sweden on ordinary Romanian red plates?

No, not as an export solution. The official guidance limits the ordinary provisional authorisation to Romania. To drive the car yourself, you need the right export registration, insurance and separate confirmation of recognition in every transit country. 8, 3, 4

May I drive the car in Sweden during the first week?

For no more than one week from import, but only if the foreign registration is valid for unrestricted use, the insurance covers the driving and you carry a legible registration document. After that, Swedish temporary registration is required, except for the shortest appropriate journey to and from a booked inspection with the correct certificate; otherwise, use a trailer. 10

How long is Swedish temporary registration valid when importing?

It is applied for together with verification of origin, is valid for three months and cannot be extended. Unrestricted driving requires that the car has been brought in from an EEA country and that the foreign registration permits unrestricted use in Romania. A 30-day insurance certificate leaves the car uninsured from day 31 unless you arrange new Swedish insurance. 10

Which originals do I need for verification of origin?

For a previously registered car, you need the original foreign registration certificate and every issued part. For a new WVTA car that has not been permanently registered, an original CoC is required. The purchase document must identify the parties, the car, the sale date and the VIN or another vehicle-specific identifier. 5

Does a condition inspection or foreign inspection replace a Swedish registration inspection?

No. The condition inspection helps you assess the purchase. A qualifying EU or EEA test may sometimes be credited, but it is not automatically approved. After approved verification of origin, the Swedish inspection company determines the registration inspection and whether a periodic roadworthiness test is needed. 9, 5

CarAudit’s public list identifies Romania as an inspection country. If the car is still available and the seller allows physical access, you can ask about that specific car, location and date. An enquiry does not confirm coverage, price or availability until you have received a vehicle-specific response. 11, 12, 13

Sources

1. Skatteverket — Moms på transportmedel
2. Your Europe — VAT when buying or selling a car
3. Portal Legislativ — Ordinul MAI nr. 181/2024
4. Your Europe — Buying and leasing a car in another EU country
5. Transportstyrelsen — Import from an EU country
6. Registrul Auto Român — RAR AUTO-PASS
7. Portal Legislativ — Codul de procedură fiscală, consolidated Article 159
8. Bucharest Prefecture — Informații permise auto și înmatriculări
9. Transportstyrelsen — Vehicle import and verification of origin
10. Transportstyrelsen — Application for temporary registration: import
11. CarAudit — Frequently asked questions, English
12. CarAudit — Frequently asked questions, Romanian
13. CarAudit — Contact, English