Importing/Exporting to the UK from Channel Islands

[PilotTris]

Hi All,

So, before anyone asks, I have searched around the forums here and have got quite confused as to what the various steps are for this. I have a really nice BMW 118D Sport Automatic, Diesel, 5-Door car which I’ve had for 3 years now.

I bought the car second-hand over here in Guernsey and I have been living here over 5 years now. I am looking to move away from the island in the near future, and would like to take my car along with me to the UK. I have read and seen that to do this you need to register and tell customs, and also pay VAT/Duty on the vehicle? I read that this is 20% on the purchase price, so that’s going to already be over 2,500GBP before any of the MOT bills, tax bills etc.

Could someone please give me a step by step guide as to the various things I need to look out for on this, to ensure everything is done properly. I don’t really want to start speaking directly with the DVLA just yet, or I’m just going to open a can of worms. For now, I’d just like to get an idea and rough costings of what is involved to take my car from Guernsey to the UK permanently. Ideally I would like to understand the whole process fully before I move so that it just makes everything a lot easier when the time comes..

This would be really appreciated.

Thanks,

[PilotTris]

Sorry to bump the topic, can anyone assist at all please? I have had an email from an import company stating that I wouldn't need to pay VAT/Import Taxes as I would be moving to the UK permanently...

[marky1]

Pretty sure no tax or duty as it would be a transfer of residency.

[darreni]

You'll need to complete a TOR1 form & a NOVA application, google will explain further.

[LesXRN]

It will be part of your personal possessions, so there should be no problems.

[PilotTris]

Thanks everyone, so where have I read about VAT being an issue when doing this? Is it just as simple as those forms and away you go, as long as it's taxed, insured, MOT'd etc?

[Martyn76]

PilotTris said:

Thanks everyone, so where have I read about VAT being an issue when doing this? Is it just as simple as those forms and away you go, as long as it's taxed, insured, MOT'd etc?

Probably only relevant if you were buying a car from the channel islands and bring it back to the UK where you live?

[PilotTris]

darreni said:

You'll need to complete a TOR1 form & a NOVA application, google will explain further.

Hi Darren,

Thanks. But unfortunately I am still confused. I have only heard of one person completing the TOR1 form but this forms goes into a super amount of detail as to what personal possessions I will/may bring back with me. This form doesn’t then actually assist with registering the vehicle in the UK, as it currently has a Guernsey Plate on it. Added to this the car is not MOT’d, albeit it has had a regular service.

Then I had a look at the NOVA form which again is incredibly complicated.

Do you think if I rang the DVLA up that they would be able to explain this more clearly? Ideally, I want to understand the process before I have to move, so that the process is simple and easy and if I can do it before I move (1-2 months prior), it’s just an extra thing I don’t have to worry about.

Hope that makes sense?

[PilotTris]

After a bit more researching today, as I want to understand the process before I do it, I understand that I would:

1. Tell HMRC within 14 days that the vehicle is in the UK
2. Pay VAT or Duty if required (Probably not as I bought it in Guernsey)
3. Get vehicle approval > Really unsure about this but going to email them..
4. Register and tax the vehicle.

But if truth be told, I am still incredibly confused and do not want to leave this to the last minute (even though I have no moving date yet..)

Thanks,