Car Importing help required
Discussion
Hello all,
I have had a brainwave to take one of my cars and place it in the UK for good so I don't have to drive around in crappy (but expensive) hire cars everytime I visit.
Can anyone tell me what I need to do to take my car from Germany and get it registered in the UK?
I have looked at several websites for information but as usual the web is a great source of conflicting information!
Has anyone imported a car to the UK from Germany?
Thanks in advance,
Deester
I have had a brainwave to take one of my cars and place it in the UK for good so I don't have to drive around in crappy (but expensive) hire cars everytime I visit.
Can anyone tell me what I need to do to take my car from Germany and get it registered in the UK?
I have looked at several websites for information but as usual the web is a great source of conflicting information!
Has anyone imported a car to the UK from Germany?
Thanks in advance,
Deester
Thanks for the help terminator that document provided some handy info.
Bodo, I dont always plan to have a place here is Germany so I would rather register the car in the UK.
Does anyone have any practical experience with this importing business? As with everything the theory and practice tend to be different!
Thanks,
Deester
Bodo, I dont always plan to have a place here is Germany so I would rather register the car in the UK.
Does anyone have any practical experience with this importing business? As with everything the theory and practice tend to be different!
Thanks,
Deester
How old will the car be?
If its pretty much new, then I've been there & done that. Not sure what the differences are for an 'old' car (i.e. not a New Means of Transport according to HMCE definition).
If I had to guess, I reckon you'd get away without paying VAT
but might have to pay import duty 
If its pretty much new, then I've been there & done that. Not sure what the differences are for an 'old' car (i.e. not a New Means of Transport according to HMCE definition).
If I had to guess, I reckon you'd get away without paying VAT
but might have to pay import duty
pdv6 said:[/i
If I had to guess, I reckon you'd get away without paying VAT
There's no import duty within the EU as it is a free customs area. The only national charges that apply to intra-EU movements are excise duty and VAT (and the array of other national taxes that can apply to certain transactions - probably not car related). excise is only paid on alcohols and cigarettes etc.
DVLA said:
For most new vehicles you must present evidence of Type Approval from the supplier or vehicle manufacturer, usually in the form of a Certificate of Conformity. If the vehicle has not been subject to Type Approval it must pass a Single Approval (SVA) Test.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION
The following documents will need to be submitted to the DVLA Local Office. (N.B. photocopies are NOT acceptable).
Completed application form V55/4* (for new vehicles) or V55/5 (for used vehicles).
A £25 registration fee (if applicable).
# The required fee for the licence.
A current British certificate of insurance.
Foreign registration document and any other papers you have relating to the vehicle.
Evidence showing the date the vehicle was collected (normally the invoice from the supplier).
Evidence of type approval.
The appropriate Customs and Excise form.
A current British MOT test certificate (if applicable).
A Declaration of Newness (if applicable).
*The V55/4 form has been introduced to distinguish between new and used vehicles coming forward for registration.
# Please make cheques, postal orders payable to "DVLA Swansea" or "Driver and Vehicle licensing Agency".
Registration and licensing will not take place unless you have the necessary documentation. In some cases the DVLA Local Office may wish to see the vehicle to check its identity.
A. Type Approval
Non –type approved vehicles less than 10 years old that are personally imported are required to pass a Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test. To qualify as a Personal Import [PI], the following conditions have to be met.
· If the vehicle has been imported by a person entering the United Kingdom;
· That the person had, at the time the vehicle was imported, been normally resident in a country other than the United Kingdom for a continuous period of at least 12 months;
· That person intends to become normally resident in the United Kingdom;
· That the vehicle has been in the possession of that person and used by him in the country where he has normally resident for a period of at least 6 months before its importation and
· That the vehicle is intended for his personal or household use in the United Kingdom.
Personally imported vehicles over 3 years old, that meet the above criteria, will be subject to the MOT test.
The Vehicle Inspectorate will need to be satisfied that the person importing the vehicle complies with the above criteria.
NB. P.I. status does not apply to HGVs over 3,500kgs.
B. Customs & Excise Registration Documents
What Customs Forms Do I Need?
VEHICLES IMPORTED FROM WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION
VAT415 - This form must be completed by individuals who have personally acquired a New Means of Transport in another Member State. The form is available at DVLA Local Offices and following completion will be forwarded to Customs and Excise. The form can also be obtained from VAT Business Advice Centres.
N.B. New Means of Transport (NMT) vehicles are defined by Customs and Excise as originating from within the European Union (EU) and are less than 6 months old or have travelled less than 6,000 kms (3,750m).
VAT 413 - This form is issued by Customs & Excise for NMT vehicles which have been personally acquired within the EU and which have been notified direct to Customs & Excise, instead of the DVLA Local Office.
VAT 414 - This self-declaration form can only be used in the following circumstances:
For NMT vehicles acquired commercially within the EU by VAT registered traders.
For vehicles not classed as NMT’s (i.e. over 6 months old or have travelled more than 6000kms) which have been acquired from within the EU.
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