You’ve got your eye on a gorgeous Chevrolet. One problem, it’s in the United States and you live in the UK. But it’s going to take more than an Atlantic crossing to stop you owning your dream American car.
While there’s a clear process to follow, importing a car from the USA to the UK is relatively simple with the right knowledge and information.
If this is something you’re considering, this blog will explain precisely what you must do and list the laws you must follow to bring your US car safely back to the UK. From finding a shipping specialist to arranging imported car insurance, read on.
6 steps to importing a car from USA to the UK
You can’t be blamed for importing a US car to the UK. Admittedly, there are plenty of quality vehicles available in this country. But US cars, with their unique designs, sleek lines, and dynamic performance, have a certain je ne sais quoi that you won’t find in other models.
Here’s a guide to importing a US car to the UK:
1. Find Your Ideal Car and Buy it!
Purchasing a vehicle should be straightforward if you’re in the US in person. As you would in the UK, you could visit a variety of dealerships, strike a deal with a private seller, and shop around.
Being in the US also allows you to physically inspect the vehicle before making a purchase. By that stage, you should have your finances sorted to avoid unnecessary delays or the prospect of losing the vehicle to a higher bidder.
If you’re based in the UK and plan to make an online purchase, here are three things to look out for:
- Avoid scams: Check out the person selling the vehicle. Make sure they’re legitimate and not professional scammers trying to steal your money. When you are ready to pay a deposit or transfer funds, use a trusted and secure method.
- Examine the vehicle: You may be in the UK, but you can arrange for someone overseas to inspect the vehicle. This allows them to take photos of any imperfections and areas of contact like wheels and side skirts to spot damage caused during the journey. They could even arrange a test drive on your behalf.
- Read the small print: Always read every word and detail of a purchase contract before transferring funds. That way you’ll avoid any nasty surprises and hidden fees.
2. Hire a Car Shipping Specialist
You’ve bought your dream US car, and the next step is to find a reputable company to ship it back to the UK.
While it might be tempting to look for the cheapest option, it could be a major risk. After all, the aim is for your car to arrive safely with the correct paperwork, not to save a few dollars or pounds.
For a fee, many established shipping firms provide a collection service and will pick up your car from most US locations. You may want to take photos of the vehicle before you leave it with the shipping company in case it suffers damage during transportation.
Meanwhile, it can take up to a week to secure custom clearance, for which you’ll need to provide proof of the vehicle registration document, your passport, and a bill of sale before it can leave US soil.
The vast majority of imported cars from the US arrive by shipping container as air transport is incredibly expensive. Some shipping companies also allow you to store spare parts inside the vehicle. This can be beneficial for classic car restoration projects where spare parts might be difficult to find in the UK.
The shipping firm you’re using will also give you three options:
| Roll on, roll off service The car is driven onto the boat in the US, and off it when it reaches the UK port. | Shared container service: Your car will be stored in a container along with other items for export. | Private container service: Your car alone will be stored in a container. This is perhaps the most secure but also the most expensive option. |
While transportation costs can fluctuate, you can expect to pay around £1,000 to ship a US car from California on the west coast to the UK, which could take up to a month to arrive. Shipping from the east coast to the UK should cost around £700 and take around two weeks. The two most popular UK ports for American imports are Felixstowe and Southampton.
3. Arrange all Essential Paperwork for Your Imported Car
When your dream American car lands in the UK, you’ll need to collect it from the port, seek clearance from customs, and register and insure the vehicle. This is probably the most complex part of the process, and some shipping firms charge a fee to help you through the red tape.
You’ll need to provide the following paperwork:
| Name of document | Where to find it |
| Import declaration | The Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system. Shipping firms can arrange this for you |
| Invoice or Bill of Sale for the vehicle | Car dealership/private seller |
| Proof of insurance in the USA | Car dealership/private seller |
| Shipping Note or Bill of Landing | Your chosen shipping company |
| Proof of insurance in the UK | Imported car insurance provider |
| Evidence of vehicle modifications | Car dealership/private seller |
| Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) or VIN/chassis number | Car dealership/private seller |
| Vehicle Individual Approval (IVA) | DVLA |
| Photo ID | Your passport or photo driving licence |
4. Inform HMRC Your Imported Car Has Arrived in UK
Once you’ve cleared customs, you’ll need to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) the vehicle is in the UK within 14 days of its arrival. You can do this via the Notification of Vehicle Arrivals (NOVA) online service, or by filling in the corresponding paper form, which takes longer.
You’ll need to pay tax and VAT at 10% of the total value of the vehicle plus an additional 20% VAT. If the car is over 30 years old, and won’t be your daily driver, duty should be waived, and the VAT you’ll pay will be reduced to 5%.
You won’t be required to complete the NOVA form if the car was imported through a non-VAT registered business. But you must still contact HMRC who will send you the relevant forms.
5. Register Your Imported Car With DVLA
Once you’ve paid the tax and VAT on your imported car, HMRC will send online confirmation that the vehicle can be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Registration involves filling in forms and providing supporting documents, while DVLA may also request to inspect the vehicle.
Below is a document and process checklist of everything you’ll need :
| A V55/5 application form, or form V267 for new vehicles. | Your name/address using a passport or photo driving licence. |
| Pay imported vehicle tax to HMRC. | Utility bill showing proof of address. |
| Original foreign registration documents. | Proof of business address if importing a car through a business. |
| Certificate of insurance using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). | Invoice from the vehicle supplier/seller. |
| Vehicle MOT certificate. | Evidence of Type Approval (Certificate of Conformity/Mutual Recognition Certificate/V5C form or evidence of previous registration. If none are available, proof of Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) will be required. |
| £55 registration fee. |
Once you’ve registered the vehicle, it can take up to 6 weeks for your V5C registration certificate to arrive. You will face prosecution if you drive your imported vehicle on a UK public road before completing the registration process, unless you can prove you’re driving to an IVA test or a pre-booked MOT.
You can find more information about importing a car from USA to the UK on the government website.
6. Get Your American Car Ready for UK Roads
You’ve registered your imported car, but you’ll need to do the following before you can legally drive it on UK roads:
- Get a UK number plate.
- Insure your imported vehicle.
- Pay Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).
- Get an MOT.
You may also need to make alterations to your imported vehicle to comply with UK driving requirements. For instance, you may need to fit amber indicator lenses which many US cars don’t have.
What are the Pros and Cons of Importing a US Car to the UK?
Before you make your purchase, it’s important to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of importing an American car to the UK. Below is a list of considerations to help you make a decision:
Advantages of Importing a US Car:
- Potentially cheaper than a UK vehicle, even with shipping, taxes, and charges factored in.
- Access to classic American models you won’t find in the UK.
- Opportunity to own and showcase a desirable, rare, US vehicle.
Disadvantages of Importing a US Car:
- Left-hand drive, so steering wheel could be the wrong side for UK roads.
- Cost can mount up when you add shipping, taxes, and customs duties.
- Time-consuming process and inconvenience of paperwork and documentation.
Are You Looking to Import a Car from USA to the UK?
Ultimately, anyone can import a car from USA to the UK. But before you hit the UK roads you may need specialist insurance for imported vehicles. At Keith Michaels, we have a long track record of providing import car insurance for US vehicles for many years. Contact us today.