Hungary Import Regulations

General Information & Import Rules

• • Who Can Import: Residents and registered businesses in Hungary.
• • Drive Orientation: Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles are standard and highly preferred; Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles require technical conversion and face significant registration hurdles.
• • Age Recommendation: While no official limit exists, vehicles less than 6 years old are recommended; for Japanese imports, the target age is typically 5 to 8 years depending on the model.

Compliance & Standards

• • Emission Standards: Every imported vehicle must strictly meet EU emission standards, specifically Euro 5 or Euro 6.
• • Non-EU Testing: Vehicles sourced from outside the EU (such as Japan) may require additional technical testing and documentation to verify compliance.

Duties & Taxes (Non-EU Imports)

• • Customs Duty: Standard rate of 10% for vehicles imported from outside the European Union.
• • VAT: Hungary’s standard Value Added Tax of 27% applies to the total imported value.
• • Registration Tax: A tiered tax ranging from 50,000 HUF to 2,000,000 HUF, calculated based on engine type, displacement, age, and emissions.

Mandatory Inspections

• • Authenticity Check: An Eredetiségvizsga (vehicle identity inspection) is mandatory, costing between 16,000 HUF and 20,000 HUF.
• • Technical Inspection: The Műszaki vizsga ensures roadworthiness and emissions compliance; required 4 years after first registration and every 2 years thereafter.