Skip to content
AutoImporter
Europe → UK

Import a car from Europe.

Whether it’s a German performance car or a classic from southern Europe, we collect by road and ferry. It’s the fastest route we run.

Quote from EuropeAsk a question
Typical transit
3–10 days
Door to road
3–6 weeks
From
£2,000
Silver Porsche on a misty mountain road
3–10 daystypical transit

At a glance

Why import from Europe?

  • Door-to-door collection by truck
  • Days, not weeks
  • EU type approval can simplify testing

Ports: Collection anywhere in the EU, by enclosed truck or ferry

Shipping methods compared

Shipping methods for this route
MethodBest forTransit
RoRoStandard cars that run. Best value.3–10 days
ContainerClassics, high-value cars, non-runners.3–10 days
Air freightNot usually offered on this route—

Transit times are typical port-to-port and vary with sailing schedules.

Step by step

From Europe to UK plates, in 4 steps.

  1. 01

    Quote & purchase

    Get your itemised quote. Buy the car yourself, or let us source it in Europe.

  2. 02

    Shipping from Europe

    Collected, loaded and shipped: Collection anywhere in the EU, by enclosed truck or ferry.

  3. 03

    Customs & compliance

    Duty and VAT paid, NOVA filed, then modifications and IVA or MOT in our workshop.

  4. 04

    Registered & delivered

    DVLA registration, UK plates fitted, delivered to your door.

Costs explained

What it costs, line by line.

A worked example for a £20,000 car shipped from Europe. Your instant quote does the same maths for your actual 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 usually 10% for cars, worked out on the vehicle’s value plus shipping and insurance. Japanese-built cars pay 0%.
  • 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£1,195
  • Shipping (RoRo)£650
  • Marine insurance1.5% of declared value£300
  • Port handling & documents£245
Import duty£2,095
  • Import duty (10%)On value + shipping + insurance£2,095
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£5,195.25

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

Calculate mine

Good to know

Europe: the details that matter.

Duty after Brexit

Cars that qualify as originating in the UK or EU under the trade agreement can be duty-free, but VAT still applies. We check eligibility.

Certificate of Conformity

Many EU-spec cars have a Certificate of Conformity, which can make UK approval simpler.

FAQ

Importing from Europe: FAQs.

Still have a question?

Talk to a real person who imports cars every day.

Email usSend a message
Do I pay import duty on a car from the EU?

Not always. Vehicles with qualifying EU or UK origin may be duty-free under the UK–EU trade agreement. Import VAT normally still applies.

Other import routes

All routes
All guides

See your exact cost from Europe.

Every fee itemised and explained. It takes about 60 seconds and there’s no obligation.

Get instant quoteContact us
Personal quoteBusiness enquiry