Getting a car back from Oz

[Silent1]

So i'm currently working in Oz and i'm going to buy a Holden SS Ute, but i want to bring it back with me, does anyone have a breakdown of the costs involved and what hoops i need to jump through?

[Well_Fans]

long as you own it out there for 6 months I think you can avoid large amounts of duty/vat when you ship it back. Seen a few people on here ship cars to UK and going rate seems to be between 1-1.5k. Sure one of them will pop on and recommend a good courier.

[Toprivetgun]

Ive got Duel citizenship between here and Australia. Do I need to own the car still for 6 months to avoid a large amount of VAT? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[hsv_rulz]

Toprivetgun said:

Ive got Duel citizenship between here and Australia. Do I need to own the car still for 6 months to avoid a large amount of VAT? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I too have dual citizenship but it means nothing when it comes to importing cars. You have to show proof of ownership for at least 6? months and residency (utility bills in your name with an Oz address) for 12? months, to get away with the VAT and import duties. The question marks are because I can't remember which way around the numbers are. (I imported my (now ex) car from Oz 3 years ago)

[MyM8V8]

hsv_rulz said:

Toprivetgun said:

Ive got Duel citizenship between here and Australia. Do I need to own the car still for 6 months to avoid a large amount of VAT? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I too have dual citizenship but it means nothing when it comes to importing cars. You have to show proof of ownership for at least 6? months and residency (utility bills in your name with an Oz address) for 12? months, to get away with the VAT and import duties. The question marks are because I can't remember which way around the numbers are. (I imported my (now ex) car from Oz 3 years ago)

1. You have to own the car for six months and proove it.
2. You have to have been resident abroad for 12 months and be able to proove it. (I used council rates bills)
3.A good shipping company will sort all this out for you including HM Revenue & Customs Forms. Try RJJ Freight in Felixstowe, they are brilliant and handle everything both ends.
4. When you get it here you will need a customs certificate as part of the cars registration procedure.Shipping co does this.
5.Your SVA will be a simple one which will be basically weigh it, check the brakes, check the emissions (not as high as car spec). Check the VOSA web site for specs. (Don't worry about the speedo in K's it's not checked and you don't need mph for MOT either)Utes are classed as commercial vehicles and so the SVA test is not as rigorous as for a car.
6. Once here you are not allowed to sell the car for 12 months or you will incur all the duties and VAT.
7. Ist registration cost including tax is £240. DVLA are quite efficient in getting you a rego quickly, only bad thing is waiting in the queue for hours.

Been there done that. Worth it. Hope this helps.

(Oh, and yes, car tax is only £185 per year. So when the car owners try and take the piss, just remind them of this.)

Edited by MyM8V8 on Sunday 5th October 08:48

Edited by MyM8V8 on Sunday 5th October 08:49

[monkfish1]

But if none of the above applies and you just want to bring one in, its gonna be painful!