Importing a new car from the states

[tom2019]

I have a freind who is from america.

I was wondering could I get him to buy a new car for me - then keep it in storage for six months , and then simply transport it & register it over here?

Does anyone know how to work the system ?

[Camaro]

Lots of companies offer this service, one which seems to have a big customer following is ShipMyCar.co.uk.

Speak to them. They will import and do all the paperwork I believe. Also I think you'll find any Anerican car will need to pass an IVA before being issued plates.

[tom2019]

Camaro said:

Lots of companies offer this service, one which seems to have a big customer following is ShipMyCar.co.uk.

Speak to them. They will import and do all the paperwork I believe. Also I think you'll find any Anerican car will need to pass an IVA before being issued plates.

To bypass the import tax the car needs to be registered in the US for at least 6 months I think so I could keep it in storage and then do that ?

Its a camaro ss i want !

[Roo]

Unless your friend is moving here the car will still be liable for all duties and VAT.

[FisiP1]

The 6 months requirement is now 1 year, I'm fairly sure. And you need to prove you have actually used it during that time, emphasis on you.

The customs people are not stupid, I had an application for exemption from import duty declined on a technicality(I still had a residence in the UK during that time), and I'd actually lived over there for a year, only returning once for 2 weeks.

Import, duty, VAT on top of duty+value of car, insurance for import, relevant tests in the UK. Each time I have done it its ended up costing no less than 5k GBP all-in. Also beware that cars can and do get damaged in shipping fairly frequently. I had a badly dented rear 3/4 pillar on one of my Mustangs and a gouge in the rear glass.