Winning a foreign car in a raffle...

[gazchap]

I've just bought a raffle ticket, one of 600, from the DeLorean Car Store - I saw it advertised on the Back to the Future fan page on Bacefook.

Basic idea is, as with most raffles, that on June 12th they'll pull a random number out of a hat and whoever has that ticket will win a 1983 DeLorean DMC-12.

Always been a car I've wanted to own (so sue me - I know they're objectively terrible, but I love Back to the Future, goddamnit) so I figured for 50 bucks, a guy can dream :P

So, humour me - in the highly-unlikely-but-not-as-unlikely-as-winning-the-lottery event that I have the winning ticket, how exactly would I go about shipping the car from the US to here?

I looked into it earlier, and it seems there are a number of companies that will ship the car in a roll-on-roll-off fashion over here, and I was quoted about $1,000 for it, which seems reasonable.

But would I have to do anything when the car gets to these shores? Registering it with DVLA I guess, but would that require an SVA or whatever they're called? Could I just drive down to the port, wait for them to drive it off the ship, clear it past customs etc. and drive it back home (suitably insured, but obviously untaxed and unregistered?)

How would import duty/VAT be paid on it, given that I would have won the car as opposed to bought it?

[wildcat45]

I think there are companies that can arrange all that fot you. Obviously at a cost, but they will know the ins and outs. Is there a DMC owners club in the UK? Maybe they could help, or any Yank car owners club for that matter.

[Crafty_]

Don't ship ro-ro, put it in a container.

The shipper should deal with any tax / import duty (car will not be released until its paid). I think its 5% import duty on cost of the car & shipping and then VAT on top of that.

Wont need SVA, but will need to pass an MOT, with that in hand you can then register the car with the DVLA. They may wish to inspect the car.

If you win it talk to : http://www.kingstown-shipping.co.uk/

[william smathers]

I will be returning from Dubai to UK early 2013. I am thinking about bringing my beloved 2008 430 Ferrari back with me. I undertand about the 6 month ownership rule and 185 consecutive days out of the UK requirement for tax / VAT exemption. However, can anyone give me the name, e-mail address of a UK based company which can inspect / prepare the car for import i.e.exhaust emissions/ lighting / speedometer in MPH etc.if required to make the vehicle road legal in the UK? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[gazchap]

Crafty_ said:

The shipper should deal with any tax / import duty (car will not be released until its paid). I think its 5% import duty on cost of the car & shipping and then VAT on top of that.

Would it be 5% of $50 (the amount I would have effectively paid for the car) or 5% of it's market value?

[Hugo a Gogo]

gazchap said:

Would it be 5% of $50 (the amount I would have effectively paid for the car) or 5% of it's market value?

what do you think?

[Shaw Tarse]

When you win, These chaps may be able to offer advice

[gazchap]

Hugo a Gogo said:

what do you think?

Well, obviously the market value of the car would make more sense - but I don't know how they could charge 5% on a figure that has no documentation behind it (i.e. to prove that that's what I paid for it)

I guess this is HMRC, they'll find a way :P