Thinking of importing a car from the Netherlands

[Sline]

Hi all,

I have no experience in this matter at all so sorry if I am asking a stupid question!

Basically I am hopefully looking to import a 20 year old VW worth around £10,000 from the Netherlands to the UK.

Has anyone else done the same or even within the EU? I've looked on the Gov sites but they are unhelpful at best!


I would just like to know the costs involved, also the cheapest way to do it.


Regards
Sam

[Sline]

Up for the evening.

[ambuletz]

depends where you live, maybe driving it down could be cheapest? assuming 30mpg, and a distance from netherlands to home of 250-500miles, you are looking at £60-120 in petrol, + £50 for a ferry, £xx amount for a train/plane ticket to your destination. The below link might be useful if you want to drive it down.

http://www.fuel-economy.co.uk/calc.shtml

Aside from that, maybe you'll have to rent/pay for a freight/shipping container? Then either drive it home once it's in the UK, or rent a recovery trailer and drive it yourself.
Just thinking out aloud.

[Sline]

Hi there,

That's initially what I thought and had planned for but I've been told it "must" be imported???

I think a call to dvla tomorrow will be in order.

[Sline]

Ok,

I have spoked to customs of which they have told me if I do not have proof of VAT being previously paid on the car I will be liable upon bringing it back the the UK!!??

Surely this cannot be correct, I am buying a 20 year old vehicle from a private individual not a dealer of any kind.


Has anyone bought a used car from anywhere in the EU and bought it back to the UK?


Please help!

[Sline]

Anyone?

[SambaS]

I only know about the uk side of things having just bought a 25 year old Polish registered car from a guy in London. You need to insure it on the chassis number, mot it on the chassis number, send mot, insurance and a v55/5 form along with a £55 fee, £130 for a years tax (1481cc) may then need inspecting or you wil get a 'yes' from them along with uk plates

[SambaS]

no idea who pays import duty. Or who to or when

[SambaS]

[Truckosaurus]

Would being able to show the car was (is?) legally registered in the Netherlands not be enough proof that tax had been paid within the EU (and therefore not subject to UK tax) on the car?

[SambaS]

grey area. Yes you wil get away with it for the one journey home. My car is stil insured taxed moted in poland, when i asked the police when they came into my work if i could be using it they excitedly asked 'where is it' unluckily for them it was garaged

[Rostfritt]

Just done this from Sweden. Drive back with insurance on chassis no. Get the thing MOTed on said no, go to DVLA with the foreign reg document and MOT and ins, pay £55 + road tax (6 or 12 months, you choose, my car is a classic so free anyhow). You might need to send the plates and proof of new reg back to the previous owner but this depends on country. For some reason the Swedish authorities need this to deregister it, not just filling out the permanently exported part of the V5 we do here. Also to get it through the MOT you will need new headlights or beam deflectors. There is a form from customs to fill out while at the DVLA but it doesn't say much, no duty if from the EU. Driving it back and taking it to the MOT and DVLA inspection (they randomly inspect VIN numbers) is OK on the chassis insurance and foreign plates apparently.

[Sline]

Many thanks all,

This has put my mind at ease, I was worried about being lumbered with a 2k bill upon my return to the UK!

Will post pics of the said beast upon my return!


Regards
Sam