Importing a Buick Grand National 1987 (example value $45,000) from the USA into Europe costs from about €2,641 in taxes by the right route. The figures below cover customs duty, import VAT and the national registration tax (transport and fees excluded). A vehicle over 30 years old can qualify for the collection regime, which legally reduces the registration tax. Run your own case in the free calculator.
Run the full free simulation for this car →| Country | Total cost | Annual tax |
|---|---|---|
| Italy Cheapest | 2,641 € | 28 €/yr |
| Poland | 2,744 € | — |
| Luxembourg | 2,764 € | 25 €/yr |
| Belgium | 2,831 € | 110 €/yr |
| Germany | 2,914 € | 192 €/yr |
| Sweden | 2,964 € | — |
| France | 3,137 € | — |
| Netherlands | 3,664 € | 158 €/yr |
| Portugal | 10,654 € | 121 €/yr |
| Spain | 10,869 € | 120 €/yr |
The 1987 Grand National is powered by a turbocharged 3.8-litre V6, far smaller than the V8s of the 1960s. It reaches 30 years in 2017 and has a modern 17-character VIN, unlike the older cars on this site.
The turbocharged engine is sensitive to maintenance: ask for the service history, check for oil leaks around the turbo and for signs of engine modification to raise boost. Genuine Grand Nationals have a VIN with the code of the turbo engine. Rust is less common than on 1960s cars.
The Buick Grand National 1987 was offered with a single engine family, so engine size does not change the bill here. Figures with the factory engine and a purchase value of 45,000 $:
| Engine | Portugal (best route) | Cheapest country |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8 V6 turbo (3.8 L) | 10,654 € | 2,641 € (Italy) |
Same car, same engine, three purchase prices. Taxes based on the value (import VAT, and in some countries the registration tax) follow the price; taxes based on engine size and age do not.
| Purchase price | Portugal (best route) | Cheapest country |
|---|---|---|
| 23,000 $ | 9,439 € | 1,529 € (Poland) |
| 45,000 $ | 10,654 € | 2,641 € (Italy) |
| 90,000 $ | 13,138 € | 4,711 € (Italy) |
The figures above assume the car is accepted as a collector vehicle: more than 30 years old and in original condition. If customs refuse that status, the Buick Grand National is taxed like an ordinary used car:
| Portugal (best route) | Cheapest country | |
|---|---|---|
| With collector status | 10,654 € | 2,641 € (Italy) |
| Without collector status | 15,372 € | 7,462 € (Poland) |
A vehicle over 30 years old usually qualifies for the EU collection regime (0% customs duty, reduced VAT, exemption from many registration taxes) — when the status is granted. This 1987 model is over 30 years old → eligible for the collection regime.
It depends on the vehicle: engine size, CO₂, value and age all change the ranking, as does the route the car takes into the EU. The full comparison for this example is in the table above — run your own case in the free simulator.
No — the figures cover taxes and the national registration tax only. Ocean freight (USA→Europe), handling and customs-broker fees are added separately in the calculator.
Estimates based on 2026 rates — to be confirmed with the competent authorities. Not tax advice.