EU Car Import Tax & CO2 / Weight Malus Calculator

Importing a car into the EU: estimated malus, duty and VAT

A used car bought in another EU country pays no customs duty or extra VAT in France, but it is subject to the CO2 and weight malus, reduced according to its age. From outside the EU, customs duty of usually 10% is added, plus 20% VAT on the price including duty. The tool gives a simplified estimate that does not exactly follow the 2026 French scales.

How the tool calculates for France

• CO2 malus: from 118 g/km, €250 per gram above 118 plus €400 per gram above 138, capped at €60,000.
• Weight malus: €15 per kg above 1,600 kg.
• Age reduction: 1% per month since first registration, up to 95%. A fully electric car is exempt from both.
• Registration certificate: €13.76 plus €45 per fiscal horsepower, the horsepower being estimated from the price (price / 8,000, at least 4).
• From outside the EU: 10% duty on the price, then the destination country's VAT on price + duty (20% in France, 19% in Germany, 21% in Spain, 22% in Italy). New car bought in the EU (6 months old at most): the same VAT on the price.

Example

Petrol, 142 g/km, 1,680 kg, €32,000, 24 months old. Gross CO2 malus: 24 × 250 + 4 × 400 = €7,600, €5,776 after the 24% reduction. Weight: 80 × 15 = €1,200, or €912 after reduction. Registration: €193.76. Total from the EU: €6,881.76. From a non-EU country, add €3,200 duty and €7,040 VAT, for €17,121.76.

Differences from the rules in force in 2026

The official 2026 French CO2 malus is a per-gram table starting at €50 at 108 g/km and reaching €80,000; the weight tax applies from 1,500 kg at €10 to €30 per kg (€1,810 for 1,680 kg before reduction), with both combined capped at €80,000. For an imported used car, the reduction follows an official coefficient by age band (3% up to 3 months, 100% from 181 months, no tax if first registered before 2015). A new car (under 6 months or under 6,000 km) bought in the EU owes 20% French VAT: the tool adds it up to 6 months of age, assuming the price entered excludes VAT, but it does not know the mileage. The Germany, Spain and Italy modules are unverified approximations. For an exact figure, use the official tables; this result is no substitute for professional advice.

Sources and dates: Service-public, CO2 malus (CIBS, Articles L421-58 to L421-70), 2026 scale, page checked 21/02/2026; Service-public, weight tax (CIBS, Articles L421-71 to L421-81), page checked 01/03/2026; Service-public, buying a vehicle in the EU, page checked 03/07/2024 (VAT on new vehicles, certificate of conformity, tax clearance); 10% Common Customs Tariff duty on cars, indicative value not checked online (customs website under maintenance) (checked 14/10/2026).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay VAT on a used car bought in Germany?

Not if it is over 6 months old and has over 6,000 km: from a private seller no VAT is due, and from a dealer the German VAT is already included. A new car, however, owes 20% French VAT, which the tool adds up to 6 months of age.

What customs duty applies to a car imported from outside the EU?

Usually 10% of the price, then 20% VAT on the price plus duty. For €32,000, the tool shows €3,200 duty and €7,040 VAT.

Does the French malus apply to an imported used car?

Yes, at its first registration in France, reduced according to age: 3% up to 3 months, rising to 100% from 181 months. A car first registered before 2015 pays none.

From what weight does the French weight malus apply in 2026?

From 1,500 kg kerb weight, at €10 per kg up to 1,699 kg and up to €30 per kg above 2,000 kg. The tool still uses a 1,600 kg threshold and a flat €15 per kg.

Is this tool really free?

Yes, all tools on Kristools are 100% free and accessible without registration.

Is my data protected?

Yes. All processing is performed directly and securely inside your browser. No personal data is sent to our servers.