Home › Export

Car export from Germany: documents, plates, templates

A practical guide below: which plates to arrange, which documents you need (contract, invoice, export declaration), what to watch out for, plus ready-to-download templates.

1) Which plates to use for driving/export

TypeWhere validTermWhat’s requiredNotes
Kurzzeitkennzeichen yellow strip, 5 days Germany up to 5 days eVB (insurance code), basic set at the Zulassungsstelle For test drives / moving a car within DE. Not for crossing borders.
Ausfuhrkennzeichen export “red” plates For leaving the EU often up to ~1 month * depends on insurance/TÜV and local office rules Issued by the Zulassungsstelle; the plate number is entered in the export declaration Needed for cross-border driving; crucial for VAT zero-rating as export proof.

Heads-up: terms/conditions differ between municipalities. Check your local Zulassungsstelle.

2) Export documents: what exactly and key requirements

A. Export sales contract (Export-Kaufvertrag)

  • Full seller/buyer details (for a business: USt-IdNr./Steuernummer; Handelsregister if applicable).
  • Vehicle data: make/model, VIN, year, mileage, colour/trim, registration document numbers.
  • Vehicle condition (defects), clause: gekauft wie besichtigt / ohne Garantie — only where lawful (B2B).
  • Price, currency, payment terms (deposit, SEPA/SWIFT), Incoterms if needed; risk transfer.
  • Purpose: export to a third country (for VAT exemption or §25a UStG — depending on the case).

B. Invoice (Export-Rechnung)

  • Seller/buyer (full details), Steuernummer or USt-IdNr.
  • Invoice date/number, vehicle description (with VIN), delivery date.
  • Amount & VAT status: USt-frei als Ausfuhrlieferung gem. §4 Nr.1a i.V.m. §6 UStG (or §25a UStG — margin scheme).
  • Payment/delivery terms, currency; export plate number where relevant.

C. Export declaration (Ausfuhranmeldung, ATLAS/IAA-Plus)

  • Submitted electronically to the export customs office; exporter’s EORI is required.
  • Key fields: exporter (EORI), consignee/country, vehicle details (VIN, TARIC), value, customs offices, mode of exit, Ausfuhr plate number.
  • After actual exit, an Ausgangsvermerk (AGV) is generated — the main proof of export for VAT zero-rate.
  • The ABD alone is not proof of export; keep electronic messages for 10 years.

3) End-to-end process (quick checklist)

  1. Deregister the vehicle (Abmeldung) with the seller.
  2. Arrange Ausfuhrkennzeichen + insurance (for cross-border travel).
  3. File the electronic export declaration (IAA-Plus/ATLAS) with vehicle & plate data.
  4. Exit/ship out of the EU.
  5. Obtain and keep the AGV as export proof.

4) Templates (ready to use)

Download: Sales Contract (DE) Download: Invoice Download: Public Offer (PDF)

Preview: Export sales contract 
VEHICLE SALES CONTRACT (EXPORT)
(Export-Kaufvertrag)

1. Parties
Seller (Verkäufer): XXXXX (name, address, USt-IdNr./Steuernummer XXXXX, Handelsregister XXXXX if any)
Buyer (Käufer): XXXXX (name, address, ID/company details)

2. Vehicle
Make/Model XXXXX, VIN XXXXX, Year XXXXX, Mileage XXXXX km, Colour/Trim XXXXX.
Condition: used; known defects: XXXXX. Inspected by Buyer/representative.

3. Price & Payment
Price: XXXXX EUR. Terms: XXXXX (SEPA/SWIFT/cash, deposit).

4. Risk & Handover
Risk transfers upon physical handover to Buyer or carrier (per Incoterms XXXXX). Handed over: ZB I/II, service book (if any), keys (XXXXX pcs).

5. Export / Customs
Intended export outside the EU (Ausfuhr in ein Drittland). Ausfuhr plate No.: XXXXX (if known).
Buyer handles export/customs unless agreed otherwise.

6. VAT
VAT-exempt as an export delivery (§4 Nr.1a i.V.m. §6 UStG) / or §25a UStG (margin) — select correct option.

7. Warranty & Liability
B2B: verkauft wie besichtigt, ohne Gewährleistung (within the law).
B2C: mandatory consumer rights under German law.

8. Governing Law & Venue
German law. Venue: XXXXX.

Signatures: Seller __________ Buyer __________ Date/Place XXXXX
Preview: Export invoice 
Invoice No. XXXXX
Issuer/Seller: XXXXX (Name, Address, USt-IdNr./Steuernummer XXXXX, HR XXXXX)
Recipient/Buyer: XXXXX (Name, Address, VAT ID if any)

Invoice date: DD.MM.YYYY
Delivery/Service date: DD.MM.YYYY

Item: Used vehicle XXXXX, VIN XXXXX, Year XXXXX, Mileage XXXXX
Qty: 1    Unit price: XXXXX EUR    Total: XXXXX EUR

VAT note:
Umsatzsteuerfrei als Ausfuhrlieferung gem. §4 Nr.1a i.V.m. §6 UStG.
(or: Differenzbesteuerung nach §25a UStG)

Payment terms: XXXXX
Bank (IBAN/BIC): XXXXX
Note: Export plate No. XXXXX (if applicable)
Public offer (website) — short version 
PUBLIC OFFER FOR CAR INSPECTION & PURCHASE SUPPORT SERVICES

1. Scope: on-site/remote inspection (visual/OBD/paint), photo/video, report & recommendation; optionally: negotiation, paperwork, delivery.
2. Disclaimer about the object of purchase: we are not the vehicle seller; conclusions are expert opinion for the inspection date; the client decides on purchase.
3. Liability cap: limited to the fee paid, except intent/gross negligence and harm to life/health (German law).
4. Payment/cancellation: see the “Prices” page.
5. Law/venue: German law, Potsdam court. Contacts/Impressum/Privacy — on the website.
  • ATLAS Export / IAA-Plus: electronic export declaration, portal, manuals.
  • EORI for declarations: how to obtain.
  • VAT export evidence: Ausgangsvermerk (AGV), document retention.
  • Kurzzeitkennzeichen: eVB, TÜV, usage limitations.
  • Ausfuhrkennzeichen: conditions, term, registration at the Zulassungsstelle.
  • Ukraine import duty calculator: mdoffice.com.ua

Important: for practical guidance only — this is not legal advice. Check your customs office and municipality requirements.

Ask a question Write on WhatsApp What’s included See prices

FAQ: common questions about car export

Can I leave Germany on Kurzzeitkennzeichen?

No. Kurzzeit plates are intended for trips within Germany. For cross-border travel use Ausfuhrkennzeichen (export “red” plates).

How long are export plates valid?

In practice often up to ~1 month (depends on insurance/TÜV and your municipality). Always check with your Zulassungsstelle.

What counts as VAT export proof?

Ausgangsvermerk (AGV) — the electronic proof of exit from the EU. The ABD alone is not sufficient.

Can you help with the ATLAS/IAA-Plus declaration?

Yes. We can prepare/submit the declaration, obtain the AGV and assemble the document pack.

← Back