Import Question: Send original Export Certificate to DVLA?
Discussion
My car landed a couple of days ago, and passed it's MOT yesterday. I'm sitting filling out the V55/5 now. One of the requirements is that I *must*
...enclose an original non-UK registration document or certificate for your vehicle (this document
or certificate will not be returned to you)....
I've obviously got the Japanese Export Certificate. I'm leery about sending it to them, as I've previously had the DVLA lose documents and deny all knowledge, which was a right headache. In this case, if they lost it (or the postman lost it), I'd be screwed. There is what *might* be a get out clause, in that you can send them a letter of explanation if an original doc is not available, but then they want some kind of corroboration from the manufacturer, which is bound to be immense hassle to obtain.
So this thread is asking what any of you have done in the past?
Should I:
Send them the original and cross my fingers?
Send them a scanned copy with a letter saying that I dare not send them the original because they are useless (or similar)?
Something else?
It's also worth noting that they don't/won't return anything you send them. Might there be a reason in the future where me having the original export certificate in my possession would be useful (or even essential)?
Cheers all.
...enclose an original non-UK registration document or certificate for your vehicle (this document
or certificate will not be returned to you)....
I've obviously got the Japanese Export Certificate. I'm leery about sending it to them, as I've previously had the DVLA lose documents and deny all knowledge, which was a right headache. In this case, if they lost it (or the postman lost it), I'd be screwed. There is what *might* be a get out clause, in that you can send them a letter of explanation if an original doc is not available, but then they want some kind of corroboration from the manufacturer, which is bound to be immense hassle to obtain.
So this thread is asking what any of you have done in the past?
Should I:
Send them the original and cross my fingers?
Send them a scanned copy with a letter saying that I dare not send them the original because they are useless (or similar)?
Something else?
It's also worth noting that they don't/won't return anything you send them. Might there be a reason in the future where me having the original export certificate in my possession would be useful (or even essential)?
Cheers all.
Hello Mark - I have recently imported a couple of cars from Japan myself - I did send the original Japanese Export Certificate off on both occasions to the DVLA and had no issues at all.
I sent all the paperwork signed for with Royal Mail to prove I had sent them - I did take scans of all the original paperwork just in case they got lost.
I think the export certificate is the only really original document as it has the stamps on them I think from the Japanese.
You could try sending a scan of it and see if the application is rejected? They do return all of your personal paperwork btw - proof of address etc.
I am not sure what value the original export certificate would be in the future as the car is now UK registered and you do have a scanned copy?
Hope that helps.
I sent all the paperwork signed for with Royal Mail to prove I had sent them - I did take scans of all the original paperwork just in case they got lost.
I think the export certificate is the only really original document as it has the stamps on them I think from the Japanese.
You could try sending a scan of it and see if the application is rejected? They do return all of your personal paperwork btw - proof of address etc.
I am not sure what value the original export certificate would be in the future as the car is now UK registered and you do have a scanned copy?
Hope that helps.
tinyboytim said:
Hello Mark - I have recently imported a couple of cars from Japan myself - I did send the original Japanese Export Certificate off on both occasions to the DVLA and had no issues at all.
I sent all the paperwork signed for with Royal Mail to prove I had sent them - I did take scans of all the original paperwork just in case they got lost.
I think the export certificate is the only really original document as it has the stamps on them I think from the Japanese.
You could try sending a scan of it and see if the application is rejected? They do return all of your personal paperwork btw - proof of address etc.
I am not sure what value the original export certificate would be in the future as the car is now UK registered and you do have a scanned copy?
Hope that helps.
Thank you. I didn't think the DVLA would accept 'signed for' postage, but they clearly do if it worked for you, so that's what I'll do too. Thanks again!I sent all the paperwork signed for with Royal Mail to prove I had sent them - I did take scans of all the original paperwork just in case they got lost.
I think the export certificate is the only really original document as it has the stamps on them I think from the Japanese.
You could try sending a scan of it and see if the application is rejected? They do return all of your personal paperwork btw - proof of address etc.
I am not sure what value the original export certificate would be in the future as the car is now UK registered and you do have a scanned copy?
Hope that helps.
Mark-rptz9 said:
Thank you. I didn't think the DVLA would accept 'signed for' postage, but they clearly do if it worked for you, so that's what I'll do too. Thanks again!
Anything I send to dvla is “signed for”. Never had a problem. Send a copy of the export cert and you’ll just get it rejected and it’ll spin out for many more weeks.
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