Importing a vehicle under 3 years old in 2026: a practical guide

Since imports of vehicles under 3 years old reopened, two routes coexist: the standard regime, open to any resident once every three years, and the CCR regime reserved for diaspora members returning permanently. The regime you pick sets the displacement ceiling, the rebates and the documents to gather.

The most misunderstood rule remains the age rule: the three years are assessed on the customs declaration date, not the purchase date. With a month-long sea crossing plus factory lead times, a car bought at 2 years and 10 months is a lost bet — exactly the kind of mistake our simulator blocks upfront.

Our advice: start with the simulation, lock in eligibility, and only then commit to the purchase. The full 2026 framework is in our regulation guide.