Importing a car from France and driving it home advice
Discussion
Looking for some advice from people who are more knowledgeable than me on imports post Brexit.
I have been wanting a Mk1 Twingo for some time and have been looking in the UK for well over a year but have not seen one that meets what I’m looking for, I have decided it would be easier to buy one in France an import it. I know the rules have changed post Brexit and its not as easy anymore as it once was, so I am looking for advice from those who are more knowledgeable on the subject.
My Brother in law is French and lives in the alpes and I am planning on going out in the summer so I am thinking of buying a car when I arrive and then driving it back to the UK and registering it here paying the duties etc. Its my understanding that the way car insurance works in France is that when someone insures the car anyone who has had their license more than 2 years is insured to drive the car, would this cover me on a UK license if my brother in law insured it to his French address? Would this cover also extend to the UK? If not can I insure on a UK policy with a French registered vehicle?
The other question I have is what are the import duty rules now post Brexit, I assume I will have to pay some kind of VAT but what is this based on if I have a private sale purchase, do I just submit a scrap of paper in French to HMRC that says I bought it for 1000 Euros? Or do I need to buy from a dealer to get an official receipt?
If France is difficult is there another European country that is any better for buying and driving home?
Thanks!
I have been wanting a Mk1 Twingo for some time and have been looking in the UK for well over a year but have not seen one that meets what I’m looking for, I have decided it would be easier to buy one in France an import it. I know the rules have changed post Brexit and its not as easy anymore as it once was, so I am looking for advice from those who are more knowledgeable on the subject.
My Brother in law is French and lives in the alpes and I am planning on going out in the summer so I am thinking of buying a car when I arrive and then driving it back to the UK and registering it here paying the duties etc. Its my understanding that the way car insurance works in France is that when someone insures the car anyone who has had their license more than 2 years is insured to drive the car, would this cover me on a UK license if my brother in law insured it to his French address? Would this cover also extend to the UK? If not can I insure on a UK policy with a French registered vehicle?
The other question I have is what are the import duty rules now post Brexit, I assume I will have to pay some kind of VAT but what is this based on if I have a private sale purchase, do I just submit a scrap of paper in French to HMRC that says I bought it for 1000 Euros? Or do I need to buy from a dealer to get an official receipt?
If France is difficult is there another European country that is any better for buying and driving home?
Thanks!
I haven't done it since Brexit, but you used to be able to buy a car in NL, go with the owner to the Dutch equivalent of the DVLA (offices in most large towns), and get a document putting the car in your name, and "transit" plates. You also had to pay for an insurance green card valid for 2 or 4 weeks. It cost about €140 the last time I did it.
You also got to keep the Dutch ownership document which was a credit card sized piece of plastic. They just cut off one corner to render it invalid.
You also got to keep the Dutch ownership document which was a credit card sized piece of plastic. They just cut off one corner to render it invalid.
sunbeam alpine said:
I haven't done it since Brexit, but you used to be able to buy a car in NL, go with the owner to the Dutch equivalent of the DVLA (offices in most large towns), and get a document putting the car in your name, and "transit" plates. You also had to pay for an insurance green card valid for 2 or 4 weeks. It cost about €140 the last time I did it.
You also got to keep the Dutch ownership document which was a credit card sized piece of plastic. They just cut off one corner to render it invalid.
I've heard similar stories about buying cars in Germany, again pre brexit, where you go to the local town hall and get a transit plate that includes insurance for 2 weeks, again don't know if that's still the case but france would be easier for me as I have local connections and fluent French speaking family memebers that would help me!You also got to keep the Dutch ownership document which was a credit card sized piece of plastic. They just cut off one corner to render it invalid.
I guess it wouldn't be too hard to cross the border into NL buy the car and get the zebrugge ferry home
I'm mainly worried these days I will get stopped at the border and they won't let me bring the car in for various reasons brexit/vat/import duty related!
You will need to pay VAT @ 20% via NOVA method, plus import duty of up to 10% -
You used to be able to self import, but i heard that since Oct 22, this is not an option and you need yo use a customs Agent.
(I self imported a MH from Germany in 2017) but chat on MH forum is that recently HMRC have changed approach post Brexit and you may face significant hurdles.
Once imported with tax and import duty paid, you will need to go through an IVA to check UK roadworthyness. This requires a MPH speedo, UK lights (deflectors not permitted) and fog light on UK Offside (or dual) (central may be OK, Nearside, only definitely not OK)
Once you have receipts for VAT, Import Duty and IVE, you can then go about registering with DVLA
See thread here on said topic - https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/heads...
[i] Most of you will have read I've just bought and brought home a 2 year old Carado from France.
Went to do the NOVA online through HMRC at gov.uk using my Gateway tax account just as I did 8 years ago.
Cannot do that since Brexit unless you're VAT registered company :-( Clear info on gov website tells you to email the HMRC Cars team with supporting docs, they will calculate duty and VAT and take it from there. Did the email last night.
Oh No They Won't ! reply just recieved:-
"Thank you for your email.
From 1 October 2022 the import process has changed (our website will be updated in due course) and here on the Cars Team we can no longer issue manual calculations for import taxes due. You will now need to get a Customs Agent to make a customs declaration for you on the Customs Declaration System – even if you are bringing the vehicle to the UK yourself on the ferry or Channel Tunnel. They will calculate any import taxes due and bill you accordingly. For vehicles less than 30 years old, import VAT will be charged at 20% and there may also be import Duty to pay ranging from 1% to 10%. Your Customs Agent will confirm if Duty is to be paid and they will confirm the rate.
We’ve published a register to help you find out who is using the Customs Declaration Service. To access the register, go to GOV.UK and search ‘register of customs agents and fast parcel operators’. Column M on the register shows which agents deal with personal imports. If you have any questions about the Customs Declaration Service, please call our Customs and International Trade helpline on 0300 322 9434 and choose option five. The helpline is available from 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 4pm at weekends.
Once your agent has completed the relevant paperwork and the taxes have been paid, you will need to email us the following for the Notification of Vehicle Arrival (NOVA) Reference to be issued:
A copy of the C88 and E2 or MRN import declaration paperwork from your customs agent showing the import taxes paid (this paperwork is now required for all imports requiring a calculation of import taxes due, even if you bring the vehicle to the UK yourself on the ferry or Channel Tunnel. The NOVA cannot be completed without this paperwork)
Your Bill of Sale or Purchase Invoice or Receipt for the vehicle
A Certificate of Title or Registration Document or Export Certificate or Certificate of Conformity or Dating letter from vehicle manufacturers to confirm the year of manufacture, make, model and VIN/Chassis number or a photograph of the VIN/Chassis number printed on the vehicle
Once the customs side of things have been completed, you will then be able to register the vehicle with the DVLA"
So changes were made SEVEN MONTHS ago and the website is still wrong and they don't seem to care. It seems we are being stitched up to use import agents at further cost. If I'd known it was going to be this difficult I would probably have bought a used LHD something or other in this country. As you can probably tell I am fuming! I'm also wary of the statement that duty 'might' be liable between 1% and 10% - I thought it was well-established that imported motorhomes are duty free, anyone able to back this up for certain?[/i]
You used to be able to self import, but i heard that since Oct 22, this is not an option and you need yo use a customs Agent.
(I self imported a MH from Germany in 2017) but chat on MH forum is that recently HMRC have changed approach post Brexit and you may face significant hurdles.
Once imported with tax and import duty paid, you will need to go through an IVA to check UK roadworthyness. This requires a MPH speedo, UK lights (deflectors not permitted) and fog light on UK Offside (or dual) (central may be OK, Nearside, only definitely not OK)
Once you have receipts for VAT, Import Duty and IVE, you can then go about registering with DVLA
See thread here on said topic - https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/heads...
[i] Most of you will have read I've just bought and brought home a 2 year old Carado from France.
Went to do the NOVA online through HMRC at gov.uk using my Gateway tax account just as I did 8 years ago.
Cannot do that since Brexit unless you're VAT registered company :-( Clear info on gov website tells you to email the HMRC Cars team with supporting docs, they will calculate duty and VAT and take it from there. Did the email last night.
Oh No They Won't ! reply just recieved:-
"Thank you for your email.
From 1 October 2022 the import process has changed (our website will be updated in due course) and here on the Cars Team we can no longer issue manual calculations for import taxes due. You will now need to get a Customs Agent to make a customs declaration for you on the Customs Declaration System – even if you are bringing the vehicle to the UK yourself on the ferry or Channel Tunnel. They will calculate any import taxes due and bill you accordingly. For vehicles less than 30 years old, import VAT will be charged at 20% and there may also be import Duty to pay ranging from 1% to 10%. Your Customs Agent will confirm if Duty is to be paid and they will confirm the rate.
We’ve published a register to help you find out who is using the Customs Declaration Service. To access the register, go to GOV.UK and search ‘register of customs agents and fast parcel operators’. Column M on the register shows which agents deal with personal imports. If you have any questions about the Customs Declaration Service, please call our Customs and International Trade helpline on 0300 322 9434 and choose option five. The helpline is available from 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 4pm at weekends.
Once your agent has completed the relevant paperwork and the taxes have been paid, you will need to email us the following for the Notification of Vehicle Arrival (NOVA) Reference to be issued:
A copy of the C88 and E2 or MRN import declaration paperwork from your customs agent showing the import taxes paid (this paperwork is now required for all imports requiring a calculation of import taxes due, even if you bring the vehicle to the UK yourself on the ferry or Channel Tunnel. The NOVA cannot be completed without this paperwork)
Your Bill of Sale or Purchase Invoice or Receipt for the vehicle
A Certificate of Title or Registration Document or Export Certificate or Certificate of Conformity or Dating letter from vehicle manufacturers to confirm the year of manufacture, make, model and VIN/Chassis number or a photograph of the VIN/Chassis number printed on the vehicle
Once the customs side of things have been completed, you will then be able to register the vehicle with the DVLA"
So changes were made SEVEN MONTHS ago and the website is still wrong and they don't seem to care. It seems we are being stitched up to use import agents at further cost. If I'd known it was going to be this difficult I would probably have bought a used LHD something or other in this country. As you can probably tell I am fuming! I'm also wary of the statement that duty 'might' be liable between 1% and 10% - I thought it was well-established that imported motorhomes are duty free, anyone able to back this up for certain?[/i]
that sounds like a right ball ache, i thought the rules would have changed but using an import agent add more complication and cost, interesting that according to that VAT is only due on cars under 30 years old, so if i bought a 1992/early 1993 it would be exempt?
Either way looks like I'm going to have to find and agent and chat with them about the costs/logistics
I know they make RHD headlights for them as i have the parts numbers noted down somewhere, and i can do the other bits needed to pass inspection so that's a not an issue
Either way looks like I'm going to have to find and agent and chat with them about the costs/logistics
I know they make RHD headlights for them as i have the parts numbers noted down somewhere, and i can do the other bits needed to pass inspection so that's a not an issue
WIWs said:
that sounds like a right ball ache, i thought the rules would have changed but using an import agent add more complication and cost, interesting that according to that VAT is only due on cars under 30 years old, so if i bought a 1992/early 1993 it would be exempt?
Either way looks like I'm going to have to find and agent and chat with them about the costs/logistics
I know they make RHD headlights for them as i have the parts numbers noted down somewhere, and i can do the other bits needed to pass inspection so that's a not an issue
Not exempt, but taxes will be lowered to 10%.Either way looks like I'm going to have to find and agent and chat with them about the costs/logistics
I know they make RHD headlights for them as i have the parts numbers noted down somewhere, and i can do the other bits needed to pass inspection so that's a not an issue
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