Car Shipping and UK Registration
“Shipping is a nightmare” they will tell you. “Paperwork is so complicated” they may also tell you. They would be wrong.
Having sourced your car in the US, you need to get it shipped over. Shipping time will be about 4-6 weeks. Either the shipper or the shipping agent you use will arrange dockside clearance which has a few nominal fees attached. You have to pay your Import Duty before or on collection of the car, based on the declared value.
You will be asked if you want ro-ro (roll on, roll off) shipping or container shipping. Ro-ro is cheaper; containers more expensive. Its your choice. Personally I use ro-ro, it costs less, the car arrives sometimes covered in crap but a car wash is a fiver.
Some people howl, “containers are the only safe way”. Think about that. A container is lifted off and shunted around the goods yard by cranes. How good did the shippers strap it down? Will it move? Somebody has to be paid to “unpack” the container. (That means untie the ropes and drive it out) That will cost more money and some hairy arsed dock worker will still be driving your car.
I have yet to have a car damaged by ro-ro. I have had cars damaged in containers. Your mileage may vary.
If the car has had a lien on it, (finance) it needs a letter of clearance from the original lien holder to allow it to be exported, get the seller to get it.
Your documents and bill of sale should match that declared value mentioned above. Bill of sale and USA Title documents (transferred to your name by the seller) go to the shipper and will arrive after the car by courier usually.
If the HMRC smell a rat with your declared value they will ask for the bill of sale and proof of payment for a corresponding amount. Import duty is 10% on cars and 22% on trucks plus VAT on cost price, shipping and import tax. (Yes – tax on tax – greedy aren’t they?)
Make sure you get the Customs certificate called a C&E 386 Original, if you dont get one but have a reference number, get in touch with the national HMRC Customs Clearing hub in Salford, Manchester. They will mail you one, you need this to register it.
So next you need an SVA/IVA test. Book it in at your nearest VOSA centre as soon as the car arrives, waiting time can be a few weeks. The appointment comes by mail. It costs £158, and if they fail it on something, a re-test costs £32. Do the work as detailed on the other pages, and the car will sail through.
Having done these things, you now have your test certificate. Take it, the title documents and the customs C&E form to the nearest DVLA office, fill in a few forms, pay some more money and it is registered and taxed and it gets a log book through the mail thereafter.
A specialist number plate supplier will make you up a set of US sized plates that will fit in the USA number plate apertures. The DVLA local office will give you a document to enable you to get them made up before the log book comes.
If you use the link below, you can order any kind of plate for your car, even authentic American style pressed metal ones.
And thats it! Simple isnt it?
