How do I import a classic car to UK?
At the purchasing stage:
- Make sure you obtain key documentation, e.g., sale agreement, registration documentation.
- Use a trusted shipping company to ship the vehicle back to the UK.
- You will need to pay the relevant Customs Duty and VAT on all vehicles imported from outside of the EU.
- Contact HMRC and organize an MOT.
Is there import duty on classic cars?
On ordinary cars, customs duty is payable at 10% of the value at import, plus normal rate VAT on the whole amount. However older vehicles may be imported under tariff heading 97.05 (collections and collectors’ pieces of historical interest), where customs duty is nil, and VAT is charged at an effective rate of 5%.
How much does it cost to import a car to UK?
Car imports from the USA to the United Kingdom start at a cost of $650 USD with an estimated turnaround time of 14 – 28 days, depending on make and model of the vehicle, the nearest departure port in the United States, and your final destination in the UK.
Do imported classic cars need an MOT?
Get an MOT If your imported classic car is under 40 years old then it will need an MOT to be registered.
How old does a car have to be to import to UK?
UK Customs has acknowledged that even motor vehicles can lay claim to being of historical interest. However, as you would expect, the criteria to qualify for this, are quite clear. Any motor vehicle over 30 years old is automatically eligible for import duty relief and a reduced rate of VAT.
Can I drive an imported car in the UK?
You have to register an imported car within two weeks of its arrival in the UK, and you are not permitted to drive it before it is registered. If you are planning on visiting the UK with your car, but you are not planning to take the car back out of the UK when you leave, then you must register the car in the UK.
How old does a classic car have to be to be tax exempt?
40 years
Tax exemption for classic cars is now rolling. This means that from 1 April each year, vehicles manufactured more than 40 years before 1 January of that year are automatically exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), otherwise known as road tax.
How do I import a classic car from Europe?
How to Import a Classic Car from Europe to the USA
- Possess documentation stating the age of the vehicle, unless the age is affixed to your classic car by the manufacturer.
- Possess documentation proving your ownership of the vehicle.
- Declare code E on for 3520-1 for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).