[Mustang 2025 Import from USA to Europe 🇺🇸➡️🇪🇺] Full Experience – Frustration, Complexity & Valuable Discoveries

[Saint-Maxent]

Hey everyone,


I wanted to share my ongoing experience importing a 2025 EcoBoost Mustang (Gen 7) from the US to Europe, as part of my relocation back home after expat life. While the car is a dream, getting it road-legal in the EU is a nightmare of details. Hopefully, this helps others considering the same path – or at least gives you a sense of the rabbit hole you're about to fall into.


Background

• Car: 2025 Mustang EcoBoost, US-spec.
• Context: returning to Europe (France/Luxembourg) after expat assignment.
• Goal: register the vehicle via a European entity (e.g., in Estonia or Luxembourg) to reduce taxes and simplify import.
• Challenge: US models are not EU-homologated, even if technically similar to European Mustangs.

Legal Compliance & RTI (Individual Vehicle Approval)
Required Modifications:

1. Headlights: US headlights lack mandatory E-marking.
   • Need to be replaced with CE-certified (E-marked) units.
   • Extremely hard to find – even Ford Europe doesn’t list 2025 parts yet.
2. Taillights:
   • US models use red turn signals – illegal in most EU countries.
   • Swapping to amber turn signals with E-marking is mandatory.
   • A few German retailers list CE-compliant taillight sets for 2024–2025 models.
3. Rear Fog Light (mandatory in most EU countries):
   • Absent on US models.
   • My solution: integrate a rear fog function into the reverse light, using a Ford OEM headlight switch (Motorcraft SW-8427 – found in Explorer, Mach-E, etc.).
   • Requires wiring a relay, custom harness, and FORScan config. I have the full diagram if needed.

Customs, Taxes, and Registration

• RTI in France vs. Luxembourg:
  • France: traditional route, UTAC tests, higher bureaucracy.
  • Luxembourg: simpler in some cases, but still needs E-mark parts and proof of emissions.
  • Rear fog light is mandatory in Luxembourg.
• Emissions & CO₂:
  • No public CO₂ data for the 2025 EcoBoost yet – even Ford doesn’t provide it.
  • In France, CO₂ data is critical for calculating the registration tax ("malus").
• Customs:
  • Declaration must happen where the vehicle physically enters the EU (France or Luxembourg depending on your entry point and business setup).

Useful Parts & Sources

• Motorcraft SW-8427: OEM switch with rear fog capability.
• Amber E-marked taillights: found on some German OEM parts sites.
• Euro rear bumper with fog light slot: available through OEM Ford Germany or resellers.

The Frustration

• Ford is extremely unhelpful with cross-market part sourcing.
• No documentation yet for the 2025 EcoBoost in Europe.
• US retailers won’t confirm if parts are CE-compliant.
• Navigating multi-country legal requirements, with no centralized guidance.

Open Questions & Call for Help – Let’s Share Knowledge

I’ve gathered a lot so far, but I’m still looking to validate a few key points, and your experience could really help me (and others who’ll walk the same path):

1. Front Headlights:
   • Do we absolutely need to replace the US headlights to pass EU homologation?
   • I’ve seen conflicting info — some say it’s mandatory due to beam pattern and lack of E-marking, others suggest the beams may be adjustable.
   • If anyone has passed RTI or TÜV with stock US headlights on a Gen 7 Mustang, please speak up
2. Taillights:
   1. If i do the modification myself but without the E mark, it will be ok ?
3. Rear Fog Light:
   • My setup involves repurposing the reverse light housing + Motorcraft SW-8427 switch + relay wiring + FORScan. Has anyone done similar and passed RTI or TÜV?

If anyone here has successfully homologated a 2024/2025 Mustang (GT or EcoBoost) in Europe, I’d love to hear how you did it — especially where you sourced your headlights and taillights.

Cheers,
Fabien

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