So, you’re thinkin’g about importing a car, huh? Maybe you’re after some sleek Italian sports car that has that immense luxury car feeling or even something quirky like a Japanese Kei car. Maybe you’re even after something like a show car from the US? But overall, bringing a vehicle into the country can be quite an adventure. 

It’s going to be a hassle, but at the same time, it’s going to be a hassle; it’s not like you can pull up to your local car dealer; there’s so much logistics that needs to be planned out. So, with all of that said, let’s go through the essentials of importing a car.

It All Starts with Understanding the Cost

Now, you have to keep in mind that importing a car isn’t just about the purchase price; there are a multitude of costs involved. You’ve got shipping fees, import duties, VAT, and potentially a whole host of other charges. Shipping fees can vary dramatically depending on where the car is coming from and the method of transport. 

For example, if you’re importing a car from Italy and have it transported by boat trailer on the road, then yes, this will be significantly cheaper compared to importing a classic Corvette from Kentucky in the United States by sea freight. Plus, if you want to do airfreight, that’s going to be massively more expensive as well. You can’t forget about the import duties and VAT, which will depend on the car’s age, value, and country of origin. So, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a clear understanding of all these costs to avoid any nasty surprises.

You Need to Understand the Regulations

So you have to keep in mind that the UK has specific regulations about the types of cars that can be imported. The car will need to meet certain environmental and safety standards. So you can’t just buy a car and expect it all to go swimmingly, either. So, cars coming from outside the EU may need to pass the Individual Vehicle Approval test, which ensures they meet UK standards. This could involve modifications, particularly if the car has been designed for a different market with varying rules on things like lighting and emissions.

Get Your Paperwork in Order

So this one is extremely important! When it comes to paperwork, importing a car is not for the faint-hearted. Yes, you read that right; there’s so much work that goes into this!  You’ll need to complete a customs declaration and have proof of ownership, a purchase invoice, and the original registration documents. 

The paperwork alone can take a while, and it can be a lot of work! Plus, once the car arrives, you’ll need to get a NOVA reference number from HMRC, which you’ll need within 14 days of the car’s arrival in the UK. Then there’s the matter of registering the car with the DVLA, which includes an application form, the NOVA reference, proof of identity, and a fee. As you can see, it’s basically one thing after another after another. So it’s just a lot of work!

The post What You Need to Know Before Importing a Car appeared first on My Car Heaven.