Purchasing a car abroad may provide access to unusual models or better specifications. But there is a need for customs procedures, duties, safety assessment, registration, and insurance if you want to bring your car permanently to the UK.
This procedure depends on the origin of the car and the part of the UK you will bring it to. Planning each step beforehand could help to avoid additional costs and problems.
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Check the Vehicle Before You Buy
Check the identity, condition, and legality of the vehicle first. Inspect the VIN, registration papers, maintenance record, odometer reading, ownership information, and even its accident history before sending payment.
Be especially careful when purchasing vehicles that are considered damaged or salvage. The DVLA will not allow registration of the vehicle if it is seriously damaged, which includes some non-repairable write-offs. Purchasing a damaged vehicle means that you will incur costs for transport, taxation, and approval for a car that you cannot register.
Make sure to check part availability and UK compatibility as well. The headlights, speedometer readouts, rear fog lamps, emission control system, and other accessories might require alterations before approval.
Calculate the Full Landed Cost
The price is just one element of the cost budget. Additional costs include transportation to the UK, marine insurance, port charges, custom agent fees, storage, modifications, clearance, DVLA fee, plates, MOT when needed, and insurance.
VAT and customs duties might also be involved. In cases where cars are imported into England, Scotland, or Wales from abroad, the HMRC can impose VAT and customs duties unless there is an exemption. The calculation of VAT is based on the value of the vehicle, along with some accessories, delivery charges, and customs duties.
These vary according to the type of vehicle and origin; therefore, you should ascertain what tariff is applicable prior to purchasing the car. A professional custom agent will be able to give you a rough idea of these costs before the car leaves the exporting country.
In cases where you are a first-time Car Import, you might find it useful to create a written cost sheet. This is useful in comparing the actual delivered cost of the car to other cars that have been registered in Britain.
Arrange Shipping and Customs Handling
Most buyers in the private sector choose roll-on/roll-off transport or a container. Roll-on/roll-off is usually cost-effective to transport a running car while container transport gives some protection. In addition, one can transport additional items allowed by the authorities using the container service.
Where the shipping firm brings the car into the country, it is the duty of the customs agent or the shipping firm to make an importation declaration on the importer’s behalf. The duties payable at the time of entry are channeled via the same customs agent.
Store all the documents relating to the importation process together. Failure to do so will cause delays in the future.
Notify HMRC After Arrival
In most cases, HMRC should be notified within 14 days of the vehicle being permanently imported into the UK. Registration cannot be completed before the mandatory HMRC notification process has been carried out, and delayed notification could result in fines.
There will be different steps that need to be taken based on whether you are VAT registered or not, as well as what part of the UK the vehicle is imported to and which country it comes from.
If you are researching How to import car to the UK, this HMRC stage is one of the most important deadlines to understand. Do not assume that paying a shipping company automatically completes every notification required in your own circumstances.
Meet Vehicle Approval Requirements
It might be necessary to have approval in order for DVLA to register and tax the imported car. The approval is proof that the car conforms to the relevant safety and environmental requirements.
If the car is registered within the EU, a European Certificate of Conformity may be used to provide such proof. In addition, a left hand drive car requires certification through the GB conversion IVA process.
In case the vehicle is not registered in the EU, the individual vehicle approval which is often referred to as IVA is required. This system applies to imported passenger cars among others.
Certain vehicles may be exempted from the approval requirement. Such vehicles include cars and minibuses having a maximum seating capacity of eight passengers excluding the driver and being ten years or older.
Prepare for an MOT and Road Use
MOT and Approval are different requirements. According to the age and registration situation of the vehicle, evidence of MOT certificate might be needed during applying to DVLA.
In case of new registrations, GOV.UK says that imported vehicles might require current MOT evidence in case the vehicle is older than three years. Four-year period is considered in Northern Ireland as a threshold for such registration evidence.
Prior to the test, it is essential to ensure that the vehicle is road-worthy. Proper lighting, proper speed information, tires, brakes, emission control equipment, mirrors, and safety features could help to avoid unnecessary failures.
Do not drive imported unregistered vehicle on public roads just because it was delivered. Government advises about some exceptions including driving to booked MOT or vehicle approval test.
Register and Tax the Vehicle With DVLA
Once issues relating to customs and approvals are sorted out, proceed with applying to DVLA for vehicle registration and taxation. Vehicles imported have to be registered even if the vehicle was previously registered in the UK and then exported.
The kind of documentation that you will present depends on the vehicle. DVLA may require documentation concerning identity, foreign registration details, evidence of approval, MOT, and documentation concerning the age of the vehicle.
DVLA can perform an inspection of the vehicle to validate its identity or to verify the information presented in your documentation. Once registration is approved, you get your UK number plates.
Arrange Insurance Before Driving
Planning for insurance should be done in advance, given that some insurance companies might request the VIN prior to the vehicle receiving its UK registration number.
When choosing insurance providers, it is wise to select those who have experience in dealing with imports, especially when there are some unique specifications in the car or changes that have been made. It is important to give accurate information regarding the car and changes, if any, that have been made.
The vehicle will be allowed on the UK roads after having received the registration number, being taxed, tested, insured and complying with UK road driving laws.
Temporary Imports Follow Different Rules
Permanent residence is different from temporary residence. An individual living outside the UK usually uses the car registered and taxed overseas for six months, based on the temporary import rules.
If you are now residing in the UK or the car has been in the country for more than the allowable period, then the requirement for registration and taxation applies.
Final Thoughts
Making the car legal in the UK becomes easy if you view it as an exercise of following procedures. The tasks include checking the car, finding out its total cost, doing the customs formalities right, informing HMRC, fulfilling the conditions for approval, and registering the car at DVLA before hitting the roads.
An effective Car Import procedure has enough budget provisions for any customization, testing, insuring, and any delays at the port or government offices. Maintaining all the documentation throughout the process will ensure there are no surprises to catch you off guard.
