On Friday I went down to the Port Police (Customs & Excise) to find out what it would cost to legally import my 1997 LHD 993 2CS into Greece. Bear in mind that Greece is a full EU member and therefore their car registration tax is illegal.
To help my case I produced an invoice which stated that the purchase price was a mere £18,000. Three things were against me:
1. I'm not local
2. The car is more than 10 years old
3. The engine size is considerably more than their arbitrary 1928cc cut off point i.e. they don't like big engined cars over here.
My contact at the Port Police was very nice. She looked at my paperwork and seemed to accept the low purchase price - so off to a good start.
Things began to go down hill when she noticed the engine capacity. Imagine for a minute the sound of cold air being inhaled through clenched teeth when an official Porsche mechanic is asked what it might cost to replace a blown engine. My heart sank as she pulled out a hand written laminated A4 sheet with the percentage multiplier and applied it to the proffered invoice price.
The conversation went something like this:
"You're sure it's 3600 cc?"
"Fraid so."
"Oh dear."
"Oh dear?"
Another close inspection of the laminated A4 sheet and then, "And it's 12 years old?"
"You'd never guess though, it looks pristine."
"What's pristine?"
"Looks like new."
"Oh dear." Another inhalation of air through clenched teeth and then a calculator was produced. "And you're sure it's 3600 cc and twelve years old?"
"Yes."
"Endax (okay) the registration tax is 327% of the invoiced purchase price which is...," a slight hesitation as she rechecks the numbers staring up from her calculator..."65,000 euros. Do you still want to import your car into Greece?"
Picking myself off the floor I replied with, "Let me get back to you on that one!!"
Ah yes, the joys of motoring in Greece and trying to do things by the book. I now move to Plan B and will report back once I know what Plan B is !!!
TD
To help my case I produced an invoice which stated that the purchase price was a mere £18,000. Three things were against me:
1. I'm not local
2. The car is more than 10 years old
3. The engine size is considerably more than their arbitrary 1928cc cut off point i.e. they don't like big engined cars over here.
My contact at the Port Police was very nice. She looked at my paperwork and seemed to accept the low purchase price - so off to a good start.
Things began to go down hill when she noticed the engine capacity. Imagine for a minute the sound of cold air being inhaled through clenched teeth when an official Porsche mechanic is asked what it might cost to replace a blown engine. My heart sank as she pulled out a hand written laminated A4 sheet with the percentage multiplier and applied it to the proffered invoice price.
The conversation went something like this:
"You're sure it's 3600 cc?"
"Fraid so."
"Oh dear."
"Oh dear?"
Another close inspection of the laminated A4 sheet and then, "And it's 12 years old?"
"You'd never guess though, it looks pristine."
"What's pristine?"
"Looks like new."
"Oh dear." Another inhalation of air through clenched teeth and then a calculator was produced. "And you're sure it's 3600 cc and twelve years old?"
"Yes."
"Endax (okay) the registration tax is 327% of the invoiced purchase price which is...," a slight hesitation as she rechecks the numbers staring up from her calculator..."65,000 euros. Do you still want to import your car into Greece?"
Picking myself off the floor I replied with, "Let me get back to you on that one!!"
Ah yes, the joys of motoring in Greece and trying to do things by the book. I now move to Plan B and will report back once I know what Plan B is !!!
TD
