Export procedure for sending a car to Japan

[Driftaholic]

Hi all,

I've had a quick google, but haven't come up with any definitive answers.

I used to live in Japan, and am moving back soon, but am organising a container to take 1 car for myself, and one race car for a friend.

My questions are these:

1) My car is a normal taxed and tested car, and is in my name on the V5 etc. I will be trying to get this through as a personal import on the other side. Now, for the actual export, am I right in thinking that I only need the V5 with permanently exported ticked, and then I send off the V5 to the DVLA. Do I actually need to wait for anything from the DVLA or can I just drop the car off at Southampton tomorrow with the V5 and that's it?

2) The race car is a caterham type car which doesn't have any chassis number. I think it's one of the Locost chassis that was built by a friend for trackdays only. It's never been on the road and hence doesn't come with any VIN number or paperwork. My friend welded/braised the chassis himself. Engine is a motorbike engine. Can I just make up an invoice with price etc. on it and present this to customs?

Basically what I need to know is, can I just drop the cars off and expect them to be loaded up in the container, and then I'll see then again in 8 weeks when I arrive in Japan.

So to summarise...

1 x Race car with word document showing vehicle colour, type, and price
1 x Road car with just the V5

Am I good to go? Only concerned about the UK customs side, as the process in Japan will be undertaken by a specialist. It's a total ball-ache to do, but worth it.

Thanks in advance

James