Importing an engine from the USA to the UK

[Dr Peter]

I apologise if this has come up before, I’m sure it has, but I can’t find anything in the search function.

I'm thinking about buying an engine from America and then shipping it over to the UK, has any one done this before?
Who did you use for shipping, what were the costs?
What do you have to pay when the engine arrives in the UK?
Did you have to pick the engine up from the shipping yard?

Any information would be most helpfull.

Peter

[gtr-gaz]

I have'nt done it personally, but American Speed organised mine.

It was sent by Bax Global to Heathrow. I picked it up from there in my van, but it was a bit of hassle.
You will have to pay VAT and also an extra 3%(cos it's classed as car parts) on top, before you can take it away.

[peterpsg]

Nothing against the US outfit but I'd total up what you'd get from American Speed, plus the %20 extra customs charges, then talk to a local builder and see what you get for the same amount...

I have Peter Knight 383ci SBC (500bhp) in mine, and I'm quite happy with it, plus you have some 'local' support if anything goes toes up and it's been dyno'd on a 'British' Dyno...

There's plenty of other guys around the forum if you want something newer, like an LSx engine...

[Dr Peter]

How do they work out the VAT value? Do they just convert the value from $ to £ and then charge you 17.5 or do they charge you 17.5% on the value it is insured for?

[steve_d]

When I bought all my engine parts from the US (everything bar the block) it came in via BAX Global but they advised me to have it shipped to my local airport. It came into Heathrow then on to a bonded truck down to Bournemouth where it went through customs. BAX told me that for some reason the customs is cheaper.

I then paid BAX to deliver to me from Bournemouth.

Parts value 3450.38USD
Airline handling £25
Customs duties £76.33
Customs VAT £404.66
Customs clearance £30
Delivery imports £18
Deferment Fee £10

Total £563.99 Ouch. And that was back in 2003.

Steve

[eliot]

steve_d said:

When I bought all my engine parts from the US (everything bar the block) it came in via BAX Global but they advised me to have it shipped to my local airport. It came into Heathrow then on to a bonded truck down to Bournemouth where it went through customs. BAX told me that for some reason the customs is cheaper.

I then paid BAX to deliver to me from Bournemouth.

Parts value 3450.38USD
Airline handling £25
Customs duties £76.33
Customs VAT £404.66
Customs clearance £30
Delivery imports £18
Deferment Fee £10

Total £563.99 Ouch. And that was back in 2003.

Steve

That's not too bad, I had $1700 worth of gearbox parts (sore point!) - shipped to airport only (Heathrow!) - cost around another £300 for all the charges and onward shipping.