Import Costs

'92 Si VTEC · Post by **jjmartin349571** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:26 pm

Still keeping tabs on the car I want, just can't get them down on the price. Shipping is the killer sadly, the car is a steal. Other than import duty and VAT it seems pretty straightforward, although not sure how you go about collecting your car when it arrives - can you drive it home unregistered?? :s

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:29 pm

Do we know what car you're looking at?

Post by **Donald** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:34 pm

Have a look at JM Imports

Probably the company I will use as they will (in addition to arranging the shipping and purchase of car, etc.) collect it from the port, MOT, register and tax it. As well as a service and clean ready for collection. That's all the legwork done. I'm sure there will be a premium paid for this but it's peace of mind I guess.

'92 Si VTEC · Post by **jjmartin349571** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:30 pm

Nope, you don't know what car I'm looking at Nath, I don't want someone else to buy one before me

I would use an import company this end for convenience, but my girlfriend wants to try doing it ourselves as she'd like to start her own business doing it so we need to find out what's involved first hand. Plus I'm a tight muffin

luckily from the small amount I know about selling used cars I have an idea of what it's going to cost me to get cars prepped, plus gut feel is often surprisingly helpful! The real mystery is Customs and the DVLA this end, they don't seem to give you much useful info this end

Post by **Donald** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:42 pm

This info is everywhere

It gets here.
Sort out insurance.
Needs to pass an MOT before you can register it.
To register it you need proof of tax/duty paid, deregistration form from Japan, and proof of speedo conversion (which I think you need for MOT anyway?).
When you register it you tax it.

If you're insured I'm pretty sure you can drive it without MOT, tax or registration directly to a test centre. That's the only bit that's not clear... to be on the safe side trailer it?

I suppose since it'll be deregistered from the exporting country if it arrives here and you don't intend to MOT it for a while, i.e. in order to work on it, then it's just a chunk of metal?

Post by **Donald** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:55 pm

Straight from gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-i ... k/overview):

Your vehicle must meet the Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (as amended) and the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 (as amended) if you use it on the road. If you’re permanently importing a vehicle into the UK, you must prove that it meets environmental and safety regulations or have an exemption from them. To do this you’ll need the right paperwork, which could be:

A copy of the European Certificate of Conformity (CofC) or type approval certificate from the manufacturer or importer - suitable if it’s a right-hand-drive, UK specification vehicle
A certificate of Mutual Recognition - if the vehicle was approved and registered in the European Union

You must also:

Pay any VAT, duty or tax due
Insure it with a motor insurer authorised in the UK
Register it - there are special arrangements for commercial importers of new vehicles

Until you’ve done this, you can’t keep or use the vehicle on public roads, except to drive it to pre-arranged appointments that are necessary to register it.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) advises you to transport your vehicle from the port, rather than driving it.

So you can drive it, the DVLA only advises you to transport it rather than drive it.

Definition of advise:

offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone: "he advised caution".
recommend (something): "sleeping pills are not advised".

Individuals importing a vehicle from outside the EU need form C&E 386.

Once any duty and VAT has been paid, HMRC will send you a form that lets you register the vehicle with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), or the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland.

You must tax a new vehicle from the first date of registration too.

And from the Department for Transport regarding vehicles over 10 years of age:

Please contact the DVLA to discuss vehicle registration. You may also need to make changes to the vehicle for it to be compliant with the UK legislation. This may include having the lights and speedometer changed for UK roads.

So yeah, speedo change and I imagine wiring up a rear fog light.

The contact details for the DVLA regarding vehicles over 10 years old:

Vehicle Registration and Tax enquiries

Telephone: 0300 790 6802
Text phone: 0300 123 1279
Fax: 0300 123 0798
Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm
Saturday, 8am to 2pm

Vehicle Customer Services
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AR

'92 Si VTEC · Post by **jjmartin349571** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:57 pm

Donald wrote:If you're insured I'm pretty sure you can drive it without MOT, tax or registration directly to a test centre. That's the only bit that's not clear... to be on the safe side trailer it?

I suppose since it'll be deregistered from the exporting country if it arrives here and you don't intend to MOT it for a while, i.e. in order to work on it, then it's just a chunk of metal?

Sorry, that's the info I meant that the DVLA don't provide. Can an unregistered car be driven on UK roads with insurance, if it's for the purpose of registering the vehicle and MOT'ing it? Even more difficult question - how do you insure a car that is not registered anywhere? :s

I'd trailer it but unfortunately I don't own a trailer, plus I'd need to take a trailer test

'92 Si VTEC · Post by **jjmartin349571** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:57 pm

Argh, post cross over!!

Post by **Donald** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:00 pm

About the insurance, this is surely a subject for @Shiny.

I'm sure if you have the VIN you can insure it though, regardless of reg plates?

Shiny · Post by **Shiny** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 8:21 pm

It's complicated...I'll try and put a reply up later, Blackbush and iPhone keypad means it had taken me an hour to type this.