Importing a Datsun 240Z 1972 (example value $38,000) from the USA into Europe costs from about €2,319 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 | 2,319 € | 28 €/yr |
| Poland | 2,335 € | — |
| Luxembourg | 2,355 € | 25 €/yr |
| France | 2,369 € | — |
| Belgium | 2,444 € | 110 €/yr |
| Germany | 2,505 € | 192 €/yr |
| Sweden | 2,555 € | — |
| Netherlands | 3,255 € | — |
| Portugal | 6,907 € | — |
| Spain | 9,510 € | 120 €/yr |
The 240Z is the Japanese sports car that made Datsun a success in the United States, where most surviving cars are found today. It was built in Japan, not in the United States.
Rust is the main enemy of the 240Z: floor pans, battery tray, hatch area and rear wheel arches. Cars that spent their life in the dry south-west of the United States are much sought after for that reason. Check that the original engine and carburettors are still fitted.
The Datsun 240Z 1972 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 38,000 $:
| Engine | Portugal (best route) | Cheapest country |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 6 cyl. | 6,907 € | 2,319 € (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 |
|---|---|---|
| 19,000 $ | 5,880 € | 1,308 € (Poland) |
| 38,000 $ | 6,907 € | 2,319 € (Italy) |
| 76,000 $ | 8,830 € | 4,067 € (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 Datsun 240Z is taxed like an ordinary used car:
| Portugal (best route) | Cheapest country | |
|---|---|---|
| With collector status | 6,907 € | 2,319 € (Italy) |
| Without collector status | 15,266 € | 10,694 € (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 1972 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.