DIY JDM Imports
Discussion
Hi All. Anyone know of an up to date guide to importing a car from Japan to the UK?
From what I can gather, the Japanese end looks straightforwards with the advent of a number of exporters to find the cars and ship them (that said - any recommendations/preferences, and is the inspection worthwhile/any real guarantee?)
But my bigger concern/questions are around the UK end - how to pay the import duties and get the car registered.
I'm thinking of a 10+ year old car which I believe just needs an MOT rather than an SVA - but presumably that would need to be done at/near the port in order to drive home? I believe the car I want (Legacy GT) comes with rear fogs even in Japan, so I think it should pass an MOT without mods. Can you register the car before you have it, in order to put the plates on it at the port, ahead of the MOT? I'm guessing driving home on Japanese plates might raise a few eyebrows... I'd be looking to import through Immingham/Grimsby or Liverpool.
Yes I know there are lots of firms to do this all for you, but I quite fancy the experience of picking it up from the port.
From what I can gather, the Japanese end looks straightforwards with the advent of a number of exporters to find the cars and ship them (that said - any recommendations/preferences, and is the inspection worthwhile/any real guarantee?)
But my bigger concern/questions are around the UK end - how to pay the import duties and get the car registered.
I'm thinking of a 10+ year old car which I believe just needs an MOT rather than an SVA - but presumably that would need to be done at/near the port in order to drive home? I believe the car I want (Legacy GT) comes with rear fogs even in Japan, so I think it should pass an MOT without mods. Can you register the car before you have it, in order to put the plates on it at the port, ahead of the MOT? I'm guessing driving home on Japanese plates might raise a few eyebrows... I'd be looking to import through Immingham/Grimsby or Liverpool.
Yes I know there are lots of firms to do this all for you, but I quite fancy the experience of picking it up from the port.
Thanks both.
I also found a good guide write up here: https://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.php?342007-Gui...
Anyone know who the customs agent is for Immingham/Grimsby?
It seems to be Kleerfreight for Southampton or Liverpool and I've had a helpful email from them saying their fee for clearance is £105 so that's reasonable.
What would you expect to pay per mile for delivery in the UK? It sounds like I could go straight to an MOT near the port and expect to pass (given foglights already on JDM Legacies and a standalone HUD speedo in MPH), but I would still have to drive home unregistered and without any plates (but insured through the VIN). I'm 60mi from Immingham, 90 from Liverpool, 200 from Soton.
I also found a good guide write up here: https://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.php?342007-Gui...
Anyone know who the customs agent is for Immingham/Grimsby?
It seems to be Kleerfreight for Southampton or Liverpool and I've had a helpful email from them saying their fee for clearance is £105 so that's reasonable.
What would you expect to pay per mile for delivery in the UK? It sounds like I could go straight to an MOT near the port and expect to pass (given foglights already on JDM Legacies and a standalone HUD speedo in MPH), but I would still have to drive home unregistered and without any plates (but insured through the VIN). I'm 60mi from Immingham, 90 from Liverpool, 200 from Soton.
Edited by Jamp on Tuesday 27th October 11:50
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