importing a classic from Holland
Discussion
Hello all,
I am purchasing a left hand drive 36 year old car from a dealer in Holland.
can someone describe the procedure. Can I just drive the car back across or under the Channel with the necessary paperwork from the dealer ? What will happen when I get there ?
I know I will have to uk register the car which is fine, I am more concerned about getting it back. Do I have to pay import duty ?
any advice appreciated.
thanks
I am purchasing a left hand drive 36 year old car from a dealer in Holland.
can someone describe the procedure. Can I just drive the car back across or under the Channel with the necessary paperwork from the dealer ? What will happen when I get there ?
I know I will have to uk register the car which is fine, I am more concerned about getting it back. Do I have to pay import duty ?
any advice appreciated.
thanks
Thanks for all the feedback I had on this thread.
Just to complete the picture;
- managed to get a lift to Holland and purchase an very nice 1979 Matra Bagheera X from the extremely charming people at CarJoy in Leerdam.
- went into town with them to do the export papers which took 20 minutes and cost 140 euros. They give you export number plates
- drove 200 miles back to Calais, motorway all the way (although rather slow in a new car and 4 speeds). The first time I slowed down was for the channel tunnel.
- straight through check in and customs without being asked any questions (this was before the 'problems' obviously)
- got the car delivered home
- filled in the NOVA form, which was straightforward
- MOT'd the car, again straightforward. Just the headlight alignment to fiddle with. My insurance company issued a temporary covernote
- attempted to fill in the dreaded DVLA V55 form. You have to apply for the form to be sent to you. I struggled to fill it in so called the helpdesk, and was advised to just "do the best you can". I was very careful the chassis number and other details were correct across all the paperwork. A quick prayer, and off it went
- and less than two weeks later, the new registration documents have arrived ! £55 for the pleasure, and £145 for a years tax which they did at the same time. So well done DVLA.
The car, by the way, is excellent, and an almost perfect example. I am not sure what the results would have been buying private without the benefit of dealer assistance in filling in the export forms, but it should be fairly straightforward. I recommend the process, there are plenty of good cars available across Europe - make the most of the Sterling to Euro rate !
Just to complete the picture;
- managed to get a lift to Holland and purchase an very nice 1979 Matra Bagheera X from the extremely charming people at CarJoy in Leerdam.
- went into town with them to do the export papers which took 20 minutes and cost 140 euros. They give you export number plates
- drove 200 miles back to Calais, motorway all the way (although rather slow in a new car and 4 speeds). The first time I slowed down was for the channel tunnel.
- straight through check in and customs without being asked any questions (this was before the 'problems' obviously)
- got the car delivered home
- filled in the NOVA form, which was straightforward
- MOT'd the car, again straightforward. Just the headlight alignment to fiddle with. My insurance company issued a temporary covernote
- attempted to fill in the dreaded DVLA V55 form. You have to apply for the form to be sent to you. I struggled to fill it in so called the helpdesk, and was advised to just "do the best you can". I was very careful the chassis number and other details were correct across all the paperwork. A quick prayer, and off it went
- and less than two weeks later, the new registration documents have arrived ! £55 for the pleasure, and £145 for a years tax which they did at the same time. So well done DVLA.
The car, by the way, is excellent, and an almost perfect example. I am not sure what the results would have been buying private without the benefit of dealer assistance in filling in the export forms, but it should be fairly straightforward. I recommend the process, there are plenty of good cars available across Europe - make the most of the Sterling to Euro rate !
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