USA Import help
Discussion
Dear all, is anyone here able to advise me on the procedures involved in importing a car from the US to the UK. I have read and read and read and still cannot find definative answers. Has anyone here recently imported a car from the US to the UK?
I am looking to import a Chevrolet Chevelle manufactured between 1968-1972, I understand that there will probably be export duty to pay, import duty to pay and then VAT on the total cost of the car including shipping, great how we get taxed on the tax isn't it!
My main enquiry is regarding registering the vehicle. I have done my best to research this through dvla websites etc but am still unsure if the car will need an SVA or IVA test? I have read on websites that if the car is older than 10 years old it doesn't need one, is this true? If this is the case, then is it just a case of applying for registration with DVLA, supplying them with the customs papers, proof of sale, proof of ID etc and then simply taking the vehicle to an Mot station? I understand that the lights would need to be converted to use on our side of the road, but are there any other things I would need to do? It's mainly that SVA thing that bothering me, it sounds like an Mot station run by the gestapo. Does anyone also know if the engine in the car has to be the original? Does changing it alter the cars historic identity?
If anyone can help me in the matter, it would be greatly appreciated, thank all for reading, Rich.
I am looking to import a Chevrolet Chevelle manufactured between 1968-1972, I understand that there will probably be export duty to pay, import duty to pay and then VAT on the total cost of the car including shipping, great how we get taxed on the tax isn't it!
My main enquiry is regarding registering the vehicle. I have done my best to research this through dvla websites etc but am still unsure if the car will need an SVA or IVA test? I have read on websites that if the car is older than 10 years old it doesn't need one, is this true? If this is the case, then is it just a case of applying for registration with DVLA, supplying them with the customs papers, proof of sale, proof of ID etc and then simply taking the vehicle to an Mot station? I understand that the lights would need to be converted to use on our side of the road, but are there any other things I would need to do? It's mainly that SVA thing that bothering me, it sounds like an Mot station run by the gestapo. Does anyone also know if the engine in the car has to be the original? Does changing it alter the cars historic identity?
If anyone can help me in the matter, it would be greatly appreciated, thank all for reading, Rich.
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What are the most common problems I am likely to encounter when trying to import a vehicle?
If your vehicle is left hand drive, it will need to be modified for use in the UK since we drive on the other side of the road to the Continent. This is likely to include; changing the headlamps for ones designed for use in Great Britain, the fitting of a rear fog lamp on the off-side (right hand side) of the vehicle, modification of the speedometer with a new face to include miles-per-hour markings. For vehicles from North America the lighting will need some modifications since different coloured lights to Europe are often used. If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, then the above modifications will need to be performed either as part of the Mutual Recognition process (see above) or before the vehicle undergoes SVA testing (see below), as applicable.
If the vehicle is more than 10 years old the modifications are needed before the vehicle undergoes the MOT.
What are the most common problems I am likely to encounter when trying to import a vehicle?
If your vehicle is left hand drive, it will need to be modified for use in the UK since we drive on the other side of the road to the Continent. This is likely to include; changing the headlamps for ones designed for use in Great Britain, the fitting of a rear fog lamp on the off-side (right hand side) of the vehicle, modification of the speedometer with a new face to include miles-per-hour markings. For vehicles from North America the lighting will need some modifications since different coloured lights to Europe are often used. If the vehicle is less than 10 years old, then the above modifications will need to be performed either as part of the Mutual Recognition process (see above) or before the vehicle undergoes SVA testing (see below), as applicable.
If the vehicle is more than 10 years old the modifications are needed before the vehicle undergoes the MOT.
I don't recall there being any export duty to leave the U.S, but you are right about the import duty and then VAT on top of that.
Preparations for an MOT should be fairly straight forward for your age of car. Just a case of complying with the lighting requirements. Headlamp beam pattern, which may be just the adjusting of originals if possible. Rear turn signals in red may need converting to amber - not sure if some older vehicles still have an exemption on this. Plus fitting a rear foglamp.
Most U.S. imports will need a side-repeater for the turn signals, but again yours may be old enough that it need not.
I would check with the DVLA, but I would have thought you need to register it before taking it for the MOT.
Good luck.
Preparations for an MOT should be fairly straight forward for your age of car. Just a case of complying with the lighting requirements. Headlamp beam pattern, which may be just the adjusting of originals if possible. Rear turn signals in red may need converting to amber - not sure if some older vehicles still have an exemption on this. Plus fitting a rear foglamp.
Most U.S. imports will need a side-repeater for the turn signals, but again yours may be old enough that it need not.
I would check with the DVLA, but I would have thought you need to register it before taking it for the MOT.
Good luck.
buy as close to the docks as possible and not in the middle of the US, else shipping the car to the docks can cost you as much as you would pay for the container back to the UK
all tax duties this side has to be paid before the car can be collected from the UK dock/compounds
drive it away from the UK docks by insuring the car on the VIN, no SVA/IVA required, just an MOT
all tax duties this side has to be paid before the car can be collected from the UK dock/compounds
drive it away from the UK docks by insuring the car on the VIN, no SVA/IVA required, just an MOT
Edited by Viper on Saturday 3rd September 18:27
My brother imported a delorean from the US a few years ago
There is a guide on his website
www.mydmc.co.uk
Use the "go to website" link then there is another link for importing US to UK.
There is a guide on his website
www.mydmc.co.uk
Use the "go to website" link then there is another link for importing US to UK.
Edited by 98elise on Saturday 3rd September 19:13
I found sorting the shipping Stateside was cheapest and I used roll-on, roll-off rather than a container, as did my mate and neither car was damaged (both Corvette Z06s).
You have to arrange marine insurance in case the ship goes down.
You pay 10% import duty on the price you paid for the car when it arrives in the UK and 20% VAT on the cost and import duty. If you have the time, you can try getting the concessionary 5% import duty for historic vehicles but good luck with that one.
If you get the shipping agents to clear it through customs, they will charge you a minor fee but it makes it a bit quicker. Insure it on the VIN, get it MOT's and then registered. As noted, amber rear indicators and white front sidelights will be required but side repeaters and rear fog light aren't AFAIK due to the age of the car. Then armed with the MOT, the form saying you've paid the duty and VAT and a V55 form, you register it and they will give you an age-related plate.
On that point, it helps if you can prove the date of manufacture from an accredited source interpreting the VIN plate otherwise they will err in favour of an older plate.
You have to arrange marine insurance in case the ship goes down.
You pay 10% import duty on the price you paid for the car when it arrives in the UK and 20% VAT on the cost and import duty. If you have the time, you can try getting the concessionary 5% import duty for historic vehicles but good luck with that one.
If you get the shipping agents to clear it through customs, they will charge you a minor fee but it makes it a bit quicker. Insure it on the VIN, get it MOT's and then registered. As noted, amber rear indicators and white front sidelights will be required but side repeaters and rear fog light aren't AFAIK due to the age of the car. Then armed with the MOT, the form saying you've paid the duty and VAT and a V55 form, you register it and they will give you an age-related plate.
On that point, it helps if you can prove the date of manufacture from an accredited source interpreting the VIN plate otherwise they will err in favour of an older plate.
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