Exporting a car from CH

Exporting a car from CH

Author
Discussion

Gerwetu

Original Poster:

1,650 posts

278 months

Monday 26th May 2008
quotequote all
Dear All,

I am thinking of buying a used car for personal use in Switzerland and exporting it to the UK. This is for a few main reasons, first that I want an LHD, second that Swiss cars seem to be very well maitained on average (something about the Swiss mentality smile ) and third that, earning in £s the Euro is very expensive at the moment but the CHF isn't as bad.

I have an European base on Lago Maggiore, so Switzerland is more comfortable for viewings than Germany, which would be the default location for this type of activity (Euro notwithstanding).

Anyways, I heard that the procedure is not that simple and was hoping somebody could shed any light on what it is. Links to relevant sites, personal experiences, local contacts, anything would be good.

Thanks for your help!

PS: Also if anyone is selling an older Boxster please let me know.

Gerwetu

Original Poster:

1,650 posts

278 months

Monday 26th May 2008
quotequote all
Yes, apart from the small fact that cars in the UK are Right Hand Drive and in Switzerland are Left Hand Drive... As mentioned in my original post I need a Left Hand Drive...

Gerwetu

Original Poster:

1,650 posts

278 months

Monday 26th May 2008
quotequote all
Indeed, my last 911 was an LHD one, bought in the UK and eventually sold to a Swede and exported accordingly. Unfortunately these days there seem to be few LHD cars for sale in the UK and the ones that come up are quite far from what I want in terms of condition and spec.

Anyways, the decision to buy in CH is a well pondered one after months of keeping an eye on the markets in UK, CH and Germany. Now the question is whether its feasible or not in terms of export etcetera.

Thanks for the replies though.

Gerwetu

Original Poster:

1,650 posts

278 months

Monday 26th May 2008
quotequote all
smilerbaker said:
a very quick search on autotrader brought up 9 lhd boxsters in the uk from 7k
Yes, but they are all from LHD Porsche which, as anyone will tell you, are not the best company to deal with. They do not own the cars, they merely take a deposit, go and buy it and then its up to you to register. Trust me on this one, I HAVE been doing my homework. Furthermore, something I have not mentioned yet, I am also looking for a car for my mom, a W124 E class estate.


Gerwetu

Original Poster:

1,650 posts

278 months

Monday 26th May 2008
quotequote all
JMGS4 said:
Switzerland is not in the EU therefore you'll have to pay import duty and VAT and that on the actual value in GB, not on what you paid for it!
Thanks, do you know what the import duty would be?

Also, as it happens, for the Mercedes (and maybe the Boxster too) the equivalent RHD car in the UK would cost less, does that mean I pay VAT on the smaller amount?

Gerwetu

Original Poster:

1,650 posts

278 months

Tuesday 27th May 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies.

It would be great if the HMC&E person takes that view as in the case of the Mercedes (the first car I would try out the export with) its certainly worth much less in the UK than I am paying for it.

I think the 6 months law only applies if you are moving back to the UK, while in my case I have not left the UK (even though I am a foreigner).

The joys of infinite iterations of the law...!