What are the rules?

[Woody vt]

What are the rules with regards to importing a vehicle you already own into the UK from Aus or NZ?

What taxes can be avoided on import (VAT etc)?

How long must you have owned it to qualify?

Do you have to be living there with it?

I ask because I'm an ex pat Kiwi that's been here for a long time and I would like in future to import a HSV from Aus or NZ. The thing being, I could live without the car for a few months if it meant catching a break from the tax man. I have somewhere I can store the car etc, I just need to know the ins and outs of it all.

Has anybody here done it?

[ringram]

There is info on dvla site.
I think 6 months, no vat or duty. Just sva.
Some guys have done it. headhoon and maybe kiwihsv

[redcom01]

you need to own the car for at least 6 months and have lived in that country for 12 months (and have proof ie phone bills, electricity bill) to bring in as a personel import, then the normal SVA test. Otherwise you pay the taxes approx £2500 on a NZ$30000 car then have to go for the Enhanched SVA.

[hsvgtscoupe]

I've done it as well, as has bovered (Zane) and a few other guys around here. Always a few suprises along the way (insurance companies can be a bit hard to pin down at the initial "pre SVA" stages) but all is possible & been done before by many. All I can say is it's well worth it!

Get the little blue book from yr local DVLA office, it has all the guff you need.

Always here to help

Julian
(Raggyman (Jason) now owns my former pride & joy - he also imported a commodore but still drives it on QLD plates)

[Woody vt]

Thanks to all for the help. I will do some more digging.