importing a classic E type

[DBSV8]

Probably been mentioned several times , However ,

If I was to import a LHD jaguar E type from the states would I pay the duty tax rates at 10% and VAT at 15% on top of shipping fees ?

all the info I can find relates to new cars

Ive searched the import rates however the query is regarding a car originaly Manufactured in the UK and exported to the states.

Would the car be exempt or would I have to prove the car was originaly registered in the UK ? possibly not if it was exported as a new car ?

help apreciated.

[graeme36s]

I do not proffess to be an expert but I think you'll find that you will have to pay the 10% on the purchase price plus vat on that and the shipping costs. Speak to a company that specialises in such things. I made a very costly mistake when I bought a 70.5 Z28 Camaro from the US. I relied on info from a mate who had imported several cars from the states. Gave me completely the wrong information as it transpired he never dealt with any of the transactions. Told me 10% import on the shipping plus vat on the shipping cost only. It would have made a big difference to me buying this particular car that would have stood in at £24K. (bought) or at finally £31K. (would not have bothered).

[DBSV8]

graeme36s said:

I do not proffess to be an expert but I think you'll find that you will have to pay the 10% on the purchase price plus vat on that and the shipping costs. Speak to a company that specialises in such things. I made a very costly mistake when I bought a 70.5 Z28 Camaro from the US. I relied on info from a mate who had imported several cars from the states. Gave me completely the wrong information as it transpired he never dealt with any of the transactions. Told me 10% import on the shipping plus vat on the shipping cost only. It would have made a big difference to me buying this particular car that would have stood in at £24K. (bought) or at finally £31K. (would not have bothered).

you see you imported a Camaro which was manufactured in the states , Hence the import tax

I am looking at a car that originated in the UK was then exported to the US and now imported back to the UK ?

On the plus side the car I've looked at even with the worst scenario where it is not tax/VAT exempt at 25k cost + 2.5k ( tax )+ 2.5k Shipping insurance total 30k + 15% VAT =34,500
So an imaculate LHD 1965 4.2 series 1 with full 2009 restoration and engine rebuild for under 35k ?

Would the car still need SVA ? lights etc ?

Edited by DBSV8 on Sunday 23 August 04:14

[lowdrag]

Suggest you look here:-

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~oss108/classics/faq.htm#i...

Also remember the lights etc. need changing to english regs for the MOT. One word of warning; is this a strangled american spec twin Stromberg car or a triple SU? If the former the power output is miserable and you'll be spending over £1,000 to change the car to UK spec SUs. Also the rear axle ratio; many US cars of this era had the 3.54 and not the 3.04 or 3.31 (1965 was the former though in the UK) and you'll be revving the guts out of it at speed. Have the car professionally inspected in any case.

[DBSV8]

lowdrag said:

Suggest you look here:-

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~oss108/classics/faq.htm#i...

Also remember the lights etc. need changing to english regs for the MOT. One word of warning; is this a strangled american spec twin Stromberg car or a triple SU? If the former the power output is miserable and you'll be spending over £1,000 to change the car to UK spec SUs. Also the rear axle ratio; many US cars of this era had the 3.54 and not the 3.04 or 3.31 (1965 was the former though in the UK) and you'll be revving the guts out of it at speed. Have the car professionally inspected in any case.

thanks Low drag

It has got triple SU , not sure about the rear axle though
Some photos of the car 1967 4.2 series 1











agree it will need to be inspected , lights changed etc .

[lowdrag]

Looks fabulous! Air cleaner painted black when it should be silver, HT leads should come over the side not the front of the cams, it has white lenses (front) and red (rear) for the indicators which need changing and the obligatory nudge bars attached to the over-riders which are very american. Halogen headlights which will need changing but be careful - I've known halogens burn out the wiring so since you have to have them replaced check the wiring can take the current. I wonder what the orange light is next to the glove box? Bullet side mirrors too which personally I don't like but since they are there nothing you can do. Looks a lovely car and the best of the lot - series 1 styling with nascelles on the headlights and the small sidelights over the bumper but with the benefit of far better Jaguar gearbox with synchro in place of the old Moss box and the torque of the 4.2 engine. Looks like a modern stereo but all the better if you like music and all the FM channels - mine has the old LW/MW radio but since she is positive earth nowt to do about that really. Also yours has the correct steering wheel too. My best wishes and fingers crossed - keep us posted! Oh, for an inspection, and if the car is in California, these people know all about Jaguars for inspection purposes:-

http://www.xks.com/about/contactUs.aspx

[Myobb]

lowdrag said:

Suggest you look here:-

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~oss108/classics/faq.htm#i...

Also remember the lights etc. need changing to english regs for the MOT. One word of warning; is this a strangled american spec twin Stromberg car or a triple SU? If the former the power output is miserable and you'll be spending over £1,000 to change the car to UK spec SUs. Also the rear axle ratio; many US cars of this era had the 3.54 and not the 3.04 or 3.31 (1965 was the former though in the UK) and you'll be revving the guts out of it at speed. Have the car professionally inspected in any case.

Twin or Triple Strombergs. This is am urben legend. There is absoutely on difference between them & I would refer the writer to the JCNA Web Site where a respondent has used both & complains that the triple SU set up simply costs an inordinate amount of money & results in no appreciable increase in power. And incidently if you do go down that road a triple su set up costs in excess of 2000 pounds (from Burlin Systems) & NOT 1000 pounds.

[Myobb]

DBSV8 said:

Probably been mentioned several times , However ,

If I was to import a LHD jaguar E type from the states would I pay the duty tax rates at 10% and VAT at 15% on top of shipping fees ?

all the info I can find relates to new cars

Ive searched the import rates however the query is regarding a car originaly Manufactured in the UK and exported to the states.

Would the car be exempt or would I have to prove the car was originaly registered in the UK ? possibly not if it was exported as a new car ?

help apreciated.

I forgot. Have a look at WWW.import-car.info I used this site when I imported my Jaguar XK8 from Dallas in 2008.

[lowdrag]

Myobb said:

Twin or Triple Strombergs. This is am urben legend. There is absoutely on difference between them & I would refer the writer to the JCNA Web Site where a respondent has used both & complains that the triple SU set up simply costs an inordinate amount of money & results in no appreciable increase in power. And incidently if you do go down that road a triple su set up costs in excess of 2000 pounds (from Burlin Systems) & NOT 1000 pounds.

Apologies for the price error. The kit would be £2295 but it has the SUs anyway. Now after 30 years in the Jaguar world I would completely reject your comment on "urben legend" (spelling mistake included). The effect of two Strombergs with smog kit compared to three free breathing SUs is enormous, reckoned to be over 30bhp. Three Strombergs? Never heard of such a thing and never seen it - all Californian cars had twin Strombergs.Every article refers to a "detuned" engine when referring to Stromberg equipped cars. Where I admit to being wrong is that this took place later in the series in the series 1.5 days, not the series 1.

[Travis Mcgee]

It would be worth calling the HMRC advice line on this. Customs used to operate a " british return goods" scheme That meant, that if the goods were exported from the UK and were subsequently re-imported at a later date, then they were allowed back in at nil rate of duty. There was even a relief from Vat too. To qualify for this relief, you had to "prove" that the goods had been exported from the UK. However, Customs were sympathetic to UK built cars and where it was absolutely clear that car had been produced here, then export evidence was waived. In this case, where else did they build E types? They didnt you all cry, so there is the point, you may, if you persist with Customs, be able to re-import this car completely tax free. Jaguar themselves may be able to prove the export for you, by quoting chassis numbers etc, they may be able to trace the car in their records and supply you with the export paperwork. Good luck

[graeme36s]

DBSV8. At that age it makes no difference. Car will be subject I believe to import tax. Not sure but if the car is less than 5 years old, ie a few people imported back Porsche Carrera GT's from the US you can get away with duty paid in europe. SVA test is not necessary, again I believe on vehicles that are over ten years old and not necessary on newer cars as you can obtain a type approval certificate or letter of authenticity from the manufacturer. Pictures now lets see.

[lowdrag]

Travis Mcgee said:

It would be worth calling the HMRC advice line on this. Customs used to operate a " british return goods" scheme That meant, that if the goods were exported from the UK and were subsequently re-imported at a later date, then they were allowed back in at nil rate of duty. There was even a relief from Vat too. To qualify for this relief, you had to "prove" that the goods had been exported from the UK. However, Customs were sympathetic to UK built cars and where it was absolutely clear that car had been produced here, then export evidence was waived. In this case, where else did they build E types? They didnt you all cry, so there is the point, you may, if you persist with Customs, be able to re-import this car completely tax free. Jaguar themselves may be able to prove the export for you, by quoting chassis numbers etc, they may be able to trace the car in their records and supply you with the export paperwork. Good luck

Only works if Purchase Tax was originally paid - i.e. car was registered in the UK then subsequently exported. If it was exported new then no Purchase Tax was payable.