Importing a Car

[robsartain]

Hi All,

I am thinking about importing a classic car from South Africa.

I can get the costs to the port in England, but wondered if anyone has any experience on all the additional costs.

Taxes,Duty,Re-Registering the car, MOT pitfalls between an import and a car built for the British market (e.g. speedo, etc...)

Is there any companies anyone can recommend that deal with the headache or is it a simple process?

Any help as always appreciated.

Thanks
Rob

[Satsuma]

I think the taxes depend on the purchase value.. but do check it out properly. mot is no problem. SA is rhd anyway if I recall if not headlamps will need realaigning or possibly replacing, and the speedo needs to read in mph. that's about the lot.

[anonymous-user]

I've exported a classic from the UK, and imported it elsewhere, you also need to look at the heater, is there one? I have a few cars in the tropics and they don't have heater/demist systems only 'cooling' air con, If I wanted to import one of my cars to the UK I'd have to look at, speedo, heater, and rear fog lights.

[lowdrag]

South Africa is RHD but kilometres. Was the car originally registered in the UK and then exported? That might have a bearing on suitability and taxes.

[richardgcs]

There is no requirement to change kph speedo to mph. My current car and two lhd alfas I used to own were all kph.

[robsartain]

Thanks for the info guys.

[Simes110]

I've just imported a Mercedes motorhome from Germany so have very recent experience of the import process.

OK, importing is simple, even if DVLA have shut their local offices.

Select vehicle. Source export plates if driving back that might be relevant to that country. Go onto the DVLA website and get sent an Export Pack. Get two just in case you fluff the first one up. This contains the form V55/C which is the one DVLA need for registering. Collect your vehicle.

Get your vehicle MOT'd if over 3 years old. This is done on the VIN.

Within 2 weeks of importing you MUST register the purchase with HMRC. In the case of my 22 year old motorhome, no VAT but you MUST do that first whatever. And you MUST produce a printout of that confirmation when registering regardless of the outcome!!!

Get insurance. Flux insure on the VIN for 60 days. Other companies differ their terms.

Fill in the V55/C. It takes time, despite being only 2 sides of A4. Do it carefully!!!!

You'll need ORIGINALS of the following:

Insurance
MOT
Foreign registration to validate vehicle age

I sent colour photocopies of:

My passport
Certificate of Conformity or equivalent (Udo's - my motorhome has a name... was issued with the German export plates from their registration office a few days before collection)
The printout from HMRC

You may need an SVA certificate if the vehicle is less than 10 years old.

I labelled the documents for clarity.

Send registered post.

I waited one week for the first rejection. I waited a second week for the second rejection. I waited another week for the acceptance.

So it's possible to gain UK registration in one week if you do it correctly.

Hope this helps.

[coetzeeh]

Rob, I have imported classic cars and motor cycles from SA to the UK.

The process is not complicated. Headline costs are. You will be required to pay:
1. 10% import duty on the combined purchase price of the vehicle and cost of shipping.
2. 20% VAT on the above
3. UK clearance agent fees circa £600.00 incl collection and removal of your vehicle from the container.
Once items 1. and 2. have been paid to HMRC the car will be released by the shipping agent for you to collect. You then need to
1. Have the car MOT'd
2. Insured
You should, within approx. 2 weeks receive a notification letter from HMRC to confirm they are happy with the declared value of your vehicle together with confirmation that you have paid duty and VAT.
Then you take the following documents to your local DVLA test centre:
1. Your passport
2. The South African registration document
3. Proof of insurance
4. The letter from HMRC as above
5, Any importation documents
Present the documents at DVLA office - provided DVLA are happy with all the paper work presented, DVLA will then make an appointment for you to present the vehicle for inspection - usually 7-10 days hence. A DVLA inspector will check the engine and VIN numbers against the documents you submitted.
Once the above is complete you will be issued with a tax disc.
Only at this point is it legal to drive the car on UK roads.

The only technical issue I have encountered is a rear fog light that required fitting before MOT pass would be issued - that was an 80's car. The 60's cars were straight forward.

Enjoy - if you do buy a car in SA get someone to check the car out. Get an independent opinion on the car's condition. Contrary to popular belief, cars most certainly rust in SA unless you buy a car that has lived up country and away from the coast.

(by the way, I've imported classic Alfa Romeo's).

[Ex Boy Racer]

I brought a pre-war car into the Uk. Any car over 30 years old is classified as historic, so no import duty and 5%VAT on purchase price. No need for certificate of conformity or anything like that due to age - or any need for an MOT either these days!
You just need to send proof of ownership and insurance to DVLA and they'll send you a new registration number.
It was all rather simple and, dare I say it, surprisingly cheap

[Ex Boy Racer]

I brought a pre-war car into the Uk. Any car over 30 years old is classified as historic, so no import duty and 5%VAT on purchase price. No need for certificate of conformity or anything like that due to age - or any need for an MOT either these days!
You just need to send proof of ownership and insurance to DVLA and they'll send you a new registration number.
It was all rather simple and, dare I say it, surprisingly cheap