Vehicle Imports

Do you really need to bring your vehicle to the UK? 

Some points to think about:

• Left-hand drive vehicles are fine on the motorway and on major roads, but can be dangerous when used on narrow UK lanes where high sided hedges may hinder the driver's vision.
  
• Shipping and Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) testing and modification costs can make it uneconomic to bring cars from outside Europe. (Typical shipping cost from the USA to the UK is from £3000. Modification costs for lights and speedometer can be £300 plus, whilst SVA costs are about £200, click here to find out how much)
  
• Left-hand drive cars have low residuals if later sold in the UK.

The procedures for importing a vehicle to the UK for your own use are summarised below, and explained in detail in these two government websites.

The DTLR (Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions) booklet P15 entitled 'How to Import a Vehicle Permanently into Great Britain' is well laid out and is essential reading.

The DVLA (Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency) website is also an invaluable source of information for importing a vehicle. You will need to Register and Licence your vehicle with the DVLA.

The Relocation Bureau will be pleased to help our clients with their vehicle imports.

An Overview of the Procedures

1. All vehicles must adhere to precise Technical Specifications.

   	For imports from the EU an 'EU Certificate of Conformity' will be required to show compliance with EU technical requirements. You can get this certificate from your supplying dealer, or the manufacturer.
   	For imports from outside the EU a Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test will need to be passed and an 'Evidence of Type Approval' issued. Click here for information on the scope of the SVA test and location of SVA testing stations.

   
   
2. All relevant Customs and Excise documents and procedures must be completed.
   
   
3. The vehicle will need to be Registered and Licensed in the UK if you plan to stay for more than 6 months in any 12 month period.
   
   
4. All documents will need to be presented to the DVLA Local Office to complete the Vehicle Registration process.

Please be aware that when you arrive in the UK with your vehicle you can only drive it from the port of entry to your home address or to and from a pre-arranged SVA/MoT test location and for any subsequent remedial work. The vehicle must then be kept off the road until all licensing and registration formalities are completed.

Licensing and Registration Formalities

 New Imported Vehicle       

For the first registration of a brand new imported vehicle, you need to use form V55/4.

First Registration Fee	£25
Vehicle Licence Duty (Road Fund Licence)	The annual rates are between £60 and £160 according to engine size and CO2 Emission Figures.
Current Certificate of Motor Insurance	Refer to Motor Insurance
Evidence of payment of Customs and Excise duties.	Forms VAT414 or VAT415 (from within the EU) or C&E386, C&E388 or C&E389 (from outside EU)
Evidence of Type Approval (for non-EU imports) or EU Certificate of Conformity	For imports from outside the EU the vehicle must pass a Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test. Click here to find out the fee. Click here for information on the scope of the SVA test and location of SVA testing stations.
Declaration of Newness	Normally the sale invoice
Evidence showing the vehicle was collected.	Travel ticket to the place of collection e.g. air ticket to Dublin

Used Imported Vehicle   

For the first registration of a used imported vehicle, you need to use form V55/5.

Registration Fee	£25
Vehicle Licence Duty (Road Fund Licence)	The annual rates are between £100 and £160 according to engine size and CO2 Emission Figures.
Current Certificate of Motor Insurance	Refer to Motor Insurance
Evidence of payment of Customs and Excise duties.	Forms VAT414 or VAT415 (from within the EU) or C&E386, C&E388 or C&E389 (from outside EU)
Evidence to determine the age of the vehicle	Foreign registration document or letter from manufacturer
Evidence of Type Approval (for non-EU imports) or EU Certificate of Conformity	For imports from outside the EU the vehicle must pass a Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test. Click here to find out the fee. Click here for information on the scope of the SVA test and locations of SVA testing stations.
MoT Certificate	Vehicles more than 3 years old must pass an MoT test.

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