Title & export
US cars need a clear title for export customs. We check the title before shipping is booked.
United States → UK
Import a car from the USA.
From muscle cars and pickups to modern classics, the US market is huge. East Coast ports reach the UK quickly. West Coast cars take a little longer.
- Typical transit
- 3–6 weeks
- Door to road
- 8–12 weeks
- From
- £2,600
3–6 weekstypical transit
At a glance
Why import from the USA?
- East Coast shipping from about 3 weeks
- Clean title checks before you buy
- Left-hand-drive conversions explained upfront
Ports: New York/New Jersey, Baltimore, Savannah, Houston, Los Angeles → Southampton, Felixstowe
Shipping methods compared
| Method | Best for | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo | Standard cars that run. Best value. | 3–6 weeks |
| Container | Classics, high-value cars, non-runners. | 3–6 weeks |
| Air freight | Urgent, motorsport and film vehicles. | 3–10 days |
Transit times are typical port-to-port and vary with sailing schedules.
Step by step
From the USA to UK plates, in 4 steps.
- 01
Quote & purchase
Get your itemised quote. Buy the car yourself, or let us source it in the USA.
- 02
Shipping from the USA
Collected, loaded and shipped: New York/New Jersey, Baltimore, Savannah, Houston, Los Angeles → Southampton, Felixstowe.
- 03
Customs & compliance
Duty and VAT paid, NOVA filed, then modifications and IVA or MOT in our workshop.
- 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 the USA. 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
Shipping & logistics£2,245
- Shipping (RoRo)£1,550
- Marine insurance1.5% of declared value£300
- Port handling & documents£395
Import duty£2,185
- Import duty (10%)On value + shipping + insurance£2,185
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£6,335.25
Illustrative only. Rates change; your quote is calculated for your vehicle.
Calculate mineGood to know
United States: the details that matter.
Lighting
US lighting usually needs changes for the UK, such as amber rear indicators and a rear fog light.
Left-hand drive
LHD cars can be registered and driven in the UK. Headlights must be adjusted for driving on the left.
FAQ
Importing from the USA: FAQs.
How long does shipping from the USA take?
East Coast to the UK is typically 3–4 weeks port to port. West Coast via the Panama Canal is typically 5–6 weeks.
Do American cars need IVA?
Cars under 10 years old usually do. Cars over 3 and under 40 years old also need an MOT, plus lighting changes.
Other import routes
All routes- 6–8 weeks
Japan → UK
Japan
Typical transit 6–8 weeks
from £2,500
Get exact quote - 6–9 weeks
Australia → UK
Australia
Typical transit 6–9 weeks
from £2,800
Get exact quote - 3–10 days
Europe → UK
Europe
Typical transit 3–10 days
from £2,000
Get exact quote - 3–5 weeks
UAE → UK
United Arab Emirates
Typical transit 3–5 weeks
from £2,400
Get exact quote
Guides for importing from the USA
All guides- Costs & tax
Import duty and VAT on cars, explained
How much tax you’ll pay to bring a vehicle into the UK, how it’s calculated, and when you might pay less or nothing at all.
Read guide - Registration
What is IVA, and does my imported car need it?
Individual Vehicle Approval in plain English. Which cars need it, what’s checked, and how to pass first time.
Read guide - Tool
Car import cost calculator
Work out duty, VAT, shipping, IVA and DVLA costs for your car in seconds.
Open calculator
See your exact cost from the USA.
Every fee itemised and explained. It takes about 60 seconds and there’s no obligation.