Car Import Costs to Latvia 2026 — Taxes, Fees and Examples
On top of the car price, bringing one in from Germany costs 858–1,188 €: a car carrier 550–800 €, CSDD registration together with the first roadworthiness test 208 €, and MTPL insurance for the first year 100–180 €. Budget separately for any applicable vehicle operation tax and VAT, depending on the transaction. There has been no separate CO₂- or age-based registration tax since 1 January 2017.
For a live estimate, use the car import calculator. Before paying a seller abroad, check the car with a free VIN check and confirm Latvian registration data through the CSDD check.
🧮 Key import costs
Contents
All taxes and fees
Importing a used car to Latvia from another EU country means these items. The figures come from one place — the same ones the import calculator and the "cars from Germany" guide use.
1. VAT (value added tax)
21 % VAT is calculated on the purchase price. Buy from a company with a VAT invoice and the VAT is already in the price; it is not paid again in Latvia.
2. Natural-resources tax (included in CSDD)
There has been no separate CO₂- or age-based registration tax since 1 January 2017. At first permanent registration of an M1/N1 vehicle in Latvia, CSDD collects the natural-resources tax (110 €, already included in the CSDD estimate) and any applicable vehicle operation tax for the remaining part of the year.
3. CSDD registration and the first roadworthiness test
208 € together: the natural-resources tax 110 €, first registration with the certificate and two plates 41.88 €, the VIN/unit-number comparison 19.25 €, and the first roadworthiness test 36.95 €.
4. Delivery and MTPL
A car carrier from Germany to Latvia costs 550–800 € for one car, and MTPL for the first year 100–180 €. With CSDD registration that is 858–1,188 € on top of the car price, whatever the car costs.
Two examples from the existing calculator
These examples reproduce the calculator result, including vehicle operation tax for registration in September 2026.
Example 1: mid-budget car
VW Golf VII, 2017, 1.6 TDI, 120,000 km — bought in Germany from a private seller; the example uses a typical 106 g/km NEDC value, not data for a particular car
Example 2: premium car from a dealer
BMW 520d, 2019, 2.0d, 140 g/km CO₂, 90,000 km — bought in Germany from a dealer with a VAT invoice, so no VAT is due in Latvia
Import process step by step
Here is how bringing a car in from another EU country works:
Sign the purchase agreement, receive the registration documents, and deregister the car in the export country.
Arrange transport — by car carrier (550–800 €) or drive it yourself on export plates.
Complete the aggregate/VIN-number comparison at CSDD. At first registration CSDD collects the natural-resources tax (110 € for M1/N1) and vehicle operation tax for the remaining part of the year. Pay VAT to the SRS where it applies to the transaction. Keep every payment confirmation.
Register the car at CSDD — submit the documents, pay 171 €, and receive Latvian plates.
Within five days after registration in Latvia, complete the first Latvian roadworthiness test at CSDD (36.95 €), unless CSDD grants Latvian road-use permission without technical control after a visual assessment by recognising valid EU, EEA or Swiss permission and inspection data verifiable through the European Commission platform. Registration alone does not permit driving: valid road-use permission and OCTA insurance are required.
Hidden costs and traps
Paying VAT twice
When buying from an EU company with a VAT invoice, make sure the price is net of VAT. Otherwise you can end up paying VAT twice.
Repairs after import
Many imported cars need work on arrival — tyres, brake discs, an oil change. Keep a reserve for it.
Insurance and MTPL
Before driving the car on public roads, it needs a valid MTPL (OCTA) policy (100–180 € for the first year). On an imported car it can cost more, especially without a bonus history.
Use our calculators
The import calculator shows customs duty, VAT, CSDD charges and vehicle operation tax for the rest of the year. Confirm the final bill with CSDD and the SRS.
Summary
What to remember about car import costs:
The fixed part — delivery, CSDD and MTPL — is 858–1,188 € whatever the car costs
21 % VAT only arises without a VAT invoice; from a dealer with one it is already in the price
There has been no separate CO₂- or age-based registration tax since 1 January 2017. At first permanent registration of an M1/N1 vehicle in Latvia, CSDD collects the natural-resources tax (110 €, already included in the CSDD estimate) and any applicable vehicle operation tax for the remaining part of the year.
CSDD registration with the first roadworthiness test is 208 €, not a round "about a hundred"
Confirm the final tax bill with CSDD and the SRS before buying.
Budget for delivery, CSDD and MTPL (858–1,188 €), plus any applicable vehicle operation tax and VAT.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to import a car from Germany to Latvia?
On top of the car price, bringing one in from Germany costs 858–1,188 €: a car carrier 550–800 €, CSDD registration together with the first roadworthiness test 208 €, and MTPL insurance for the first year 100–180 €. Budget separately for any applicable vehicle operation tax and VAT, depending on the transaction. There has been no separate CO₂- or age-based registration tax since 1 January 2017.
Do I need to pay VAT when importing a car from the EU?
Buying from a licensed EU dealer with a VAT invoice means the VAT is already in the price and is not paid again in Latvia. Buying without a VAT invoice means counting 21 % VAT in Latvia.
What does CSDD registration cost for an imported car?
208 € together: the natural-resources tax 110 €, first registration with the certificate and two plates 41.88 €, the VIN/unit-number comparison 19.25 €, and the first roadworthiness test 36.95 €.
Is a separate registration tax payable?
There has been no separate CO₂- or age-based registration tax since 1 January 2017. At first permanent registration of an M1/N1 vehicle in Latvia, CSDD collects the natural-resources tax (110 €, already included in the CSDD estimate) and any applicable vehicle operation tax for the remaining part of the year.
When does an imported car need its Latvian inspection?
For a vehicle previously registered abroad, the first Latvian technical inspection must be completed within five days after registration in Latvia (Road Traffic Law, Section 16(5⁵)). CSDD may grant Latvian road-use permission without technical control after a visual assessment if a valid authorisation from the previous EU, EEA or Swiss registration country and its inspection data can be verified through the European Commission platform. Otherwise technical control is required after registration, within that deadline. Registration and the five-day deadline alone do not permit driving: valid road-use permission and OCTA insurance are required. checked: 2026-09-27.
CSDD technical-control rules · Road Traffic Law Section 16(5⁵)
Which registration taxes apply to electric cars?
There is no separate registration tax. A fully electric car has €0 annual vehicle operation tax, but no EV exemption from the 110 € natural-resources tax. CSDD registration, certificate and plates are free when EV plates are issued. Under the CSDD aggregate-number comparison price list, the comparison is also free for a vehicle receiving an EV plate for the first time; other applicable services remain payable.
CSDD aggregate-number comparison price list — checked 2026-09-27.
Related Guides
Buying a Baltic Car for Export
Live supply, documents and transit plates
Buying a Car Abroad vs Latvia
Full cost comparison
Cars from Germany
Import, risks & tips
Car Delivery from Germany
Prices, times and carriers
Car Tax 2026
New tax calculation
Cars from Lithuania
Import from neighbor country
CSDD Registration
Registration process & docs
Car Shipping
Car transport & costs