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Import to the UK

Import any vehicle to the UK. We handle all of it.

From any country, door to road: shipping, customs, duty and VAT, modifications, IVA or MOT, and DVLA registration. One team, one itemised price.

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New vehicles lined up on a port apron with cargo ships behind

Routes

Popular import routes.

Typical transit times and indicative prices. Your quote gives the exact figure.

Not listed? We ship from almost every country. Quote another country

How it works

How importing works, in 4 steps.

Start step 1
  1. 01

    Instant quote

    Every cost upfront, including duty and VAT.

  2. 02

    Collection & shipping

    We collect, load and ship. Track it live.

  3. 03

    Customs, mods & testing

    Cleared, converted and taken through IVA or MOT.

  4. 04

    Registration & delivery

    UK plates fitted, delivered to your door.

Costs explained

What it costs, line by line.

A worked example: a £20,000 Japanese-built car from Japan, so 0% import duty. It’s under 10 years old, so it needs IVA. Your quote does the same maths for your vehicle.

  • A tax on goods from outside the UK. Usually 10% for cars, based on the car’s value plus shipping. Cars built in Japan pay 0%. is 0% for vehicles built in Japan, under the UK–Japan trade agreement. We make the origin claim for you. Cars from most other countries pay 10%.
  • VAT charged at the border, normally 20% of the value plus shipping and duty. is 20% of the value, shipping, insurance and any duty combined.
  • Over 30 years old, in original condition and no longer in production. Often qualifies for 0% duty and 5% VAT. You may pay 0% duty and just 5% VAT.
  • Moving to the UK? Transfer of Residence relief: if you’re moving to the UK and have owned the car for 6+ months, you may pay no duty or VAT. can remove duty and VAT entirely.

Worked example

£20,000 car, built 2017

Demo figures
Shipping & logistics£2,145
  • Shipping (RoRo)£1,450
  • Marine insurance1.5% of declared value£300
  • Port handling & documents£395
Import duty£0
  • Import duty (0%)UK–Japan trade agreement (CEPA)£0
Customs, compliance & registration£1,905.25
  • Customs clearance & NOVA£330
  • Administration feeincl. 20% VAT£330
  • Speedometer conversion to mphNeeded to pass IVA (under 10 years old)£150
  • Rear fog lightFitted where the vehicle doesn’t have one · incl. 20% VAT£130
  • IVA preparationTransport from our site to the test centre, incl. VAT£120
  • IVA test fee (DVSA)£199
  • MOT testVehicles over 3 and under 40 years old£55
  • DVLA registration fee (V55)£55
  • 6-month road tax£206.25
  • Number plates, fittedincl. 20% VAT£35
  • UK delivery to your doorincl. 20% VAT£295
Total, excluding the vehicle and import VAT£4,050.25

Illustrative only. Rates change; your quote is calculated for your vehicle.

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What’s included

Door to road, all included.

  • Shipping & insurance

    RoRo, container or air, insured door to door.

  • Customs & NOVA

    Import declaration, duty and VAT paid, NOVA filed.

  • Modifications

    Lights, speedo and fog light, done in our workshop.

  • IVA or MOT

    Prepared by our IVA specialists, taken to the test.

  • DVLA registration

    V55 application, plates fitted, V5C in your name.

  • Delivery

    To your door, road-legal.

FAQ

Importing: your questions.

Still have a question?

Talk to a real person who imports cars every day.

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What documents do I need to import a car?

Usually the purchase invoice, the foreign registration or export certificate, and your ID. We tell you exactly what’s needed for your route and check it before the car ships.

Do I pay import duty and VAT?

Cars built in Japan pay 0% duty under the UK–Japan trade agreement. From most other countries it’s usually 10% duty. Import VAT is 20% of the value plus shipping and any duty. Historic vehicles (30+ years) can pay 0% duty and 5% VAT, and Transfer of Residence relief can remove both if you’re moving to the UK.

Does my car need IVA?

Most cars under 10 years old that weren’t built for the UK need IVA. Vehicles over 3 and under 40 years old also need an MOT, and most need a rear fog light.

How long does it take?

Europe can take 3–6 weeks door to road. Japan, the USA and Australia typically take 8–14 weeks including everything.

All guides

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