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Customs Clearance

Customs, cleared. Without the paperwork landing on you.

We prepare your customs declaration, pay duty and VAT on your behalf and file your NOVA, so DVLA has everything it needs to register the car.

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Container ship arriving into port
Jargon, explained:Notification of Vehicle Arrivals: telling HMRC a vehicle has arrived, within 14 days. DVLA won’t register it without this.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%.VAT charged at the border, normally 20% of the value plus shipping and duty.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.Hover or tap a term.

What’s included

Everything included in customs.

  • Import declaration

    Your customs entry, prepared and submitted to HMRC.

  • NOVA notification

    Filed within 14 days of arrival, as the law requires.

  • Duty & VAT

    Calculated upfront and paid on your behalf. No surprises.

  • Transfer of Residence

    Moving to the UK? We help you claim relief from duty and VAT.

  • 0% duty from Japan

    Origin claims for Japanese-built vehicles under the UK–Japan trade agreement.

  • Historic vehicles

    Claiming the reduced 5% VAT rate for qualifying 30+ year-old cars.

  • Export entries

    Export declarations and DVLA permanent-export notification.

The process

How customs works.

  1. 01

    Document check

    We check the invoice, title and export papers before the car sails.

  2. 02

    Tax calculated

    Duty and VAT shown in your quote, line by line.

  3. 03

    Declaration & payment

    We submit the entry and pay HMRC so the car is released fast.

  4. 04

    NOVA filed

    HMRC is notified and DVLA can now register the vehicle.

Pricing

Pricing guidance

Indicative starting prices. Your instant quote gives the exact figure for your vehicle and route.

Get my exact price

Government fees (DVSA, DVLA, HMRC) are passed on at cost, with no mark-up.

Pricing guidance
ItemFrom
Import clearance + NOVAEvery import. Duty and VAT are paid at cost.£330
Administration feeEvery import. Paperwork and coordination from arrival to registration.£330
Transfer of Residence claimIncludes preparing your ToR1 application.On request
Export clearanceExport declaration and DVLA notification.On request

FAQ

Customs: common questions.

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How much duty and VAT will I pay?

Cars built in Japan pay 0% duty under the UK–Japan trade agreement, plus 20% VAT. Most cars from other countries pay 10% duty and 20% VAT, calculated on the value plus shipping. Historic vehicles over 30 years old can qualify for 0% duty and 5% VAT. Your quote shows the exact figures.

What is NOVA?

NOVA is how HMRC is told that a vehicle has arrived in the UK. It must be done within 14 days, and DVLA won’t register the car without it. We file it for you.

I’m moving to the UK. Do I have to pay tax on my car?

Possibly not. If you’ve lived outside the UK for at least 12 months and owned and used the car for at least 6 months, you may qualify for Transfer of Residence relief.

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Get a price for customs.

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

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