Importing an F150 Raptor into the UK
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking at the possibility of importing one but dawned on me that there may be issues due to its size/class.
Are there any issues or problems compared to a normal size car?
I'm looking into it at the moment but haven't seen a great deal mentioned about them.
I believe they come in way under the weight limit for the SVA test but just need to make sure i'm not missing anything.
Looking at the possibility of importing one but dawned on me that there may be issues due to its size/class.
Are there any issues or problems compared to a normal size car?
I'm looking into it at the moment but haven't seen a great deal mentioned about them.
I believe they come in way under the weight limit for the SVA test but just need to make sure i'm not missing anything.
Have a chat with Richard at the Boatwright Partnership, he brings in F150/Ram trucks all the time. Great chap, very knowledgeable, brought in my CamaroSS.
Phone 01376 552339.
www.boatwright.co.uk
Phone 01376 552339.
www.boatwright.co.uk
I've imported a couple of F150s including a Raptor last year. It is a pretty simple process to manage yourself if you use the right people. I bought my Raptor in Miami so had it shipped from there to Southampton. I used CF Rinkens, who in turn used their UK agent Autobox Logistics in Chelmsford to manage the process from this end. I bought from a dealer in Miami so they collated a lot of extra parts for me - bed liner, bed cover, spare brakes, loud exhaust, etc and delivered it to the Miami docks, handing over to Rinken's local agent.
The shipping took around 16 days and on arrival I paid the port fees, import duty and VAT via Autobox. I had to sign an export power of attorney form to allow the US dealer to act as the official shipper. Annoyingly the US customs insisted this was notarised, which slowed things up a little.
On arrival the container it was in was delivered to a local freight handler for offloading. They confirmed the tax had been paid and handed the truck over. I insured it against the chassis number so was able to drive it home. I received the NOVA form from Autobox , so was able to enter into the IVA process.
I did all the conversion work myself, running new wires for the lights and fitting a separate reverse light. It is a fiddly process as the Raptor uses a CAN bus to run a lot of the light functions so you have to dig deep - I picked up the brake light signal from the pedal switch to separate it from the rear lights. It will need a fog light with a warning light that is linked to the headlamps. I ended up feeding this via a diode. You need a chassis plate made up showing all the weights as the truck will not show the CGVW. The truck failed the first IVA test as they deemed it needed roof marker lights due to the width, so I added some small stick-on LED lights and it passed.
It was pretty simple overall and saved a lot of money so I'd recommend going this way. It'll be worth it!
The shipping took around 16 days and on arrival I paid the port fees, import duty and VAT via Autobox. I had to sign an export power of attorney form to allow the US dealer to act as the official shipper. Annoyingly the US customs insisted this was notarised, which slowed things up a little.
On arrival the container it was in was delivered to a local freight handler for offloading. They confirmed the tax had been paid and handed the truck over. I insured it against the chassis number so was able to drive it home. I received the NOVA form from Autobox , so was able to enter into the IVA process.
I did all the conversion work myself, running new wires for the lights and fitting a separate reverse light. It is a fiddly process as the Raptor uses a CAN bus to run a lot of the light functions so you have to dig deep - I picked up the brake light signal from the pedal switch to separate it from the rear lights. It will need a fog light with a warning light that is linked to the headlamps. I ended up feeding this via a diode. You need a chassis plate made up showing all the weights as the truck will not show the CGVW. The truck failed the first IVA test as they deemed it needed roof marker lights due to the width, so I added some small stick-on LED lights and it passed.
It was pretty simple overall and saved a lot of money so I'd recommend going this way. It'll be worth it!
maxc said:
I've imported a couple of F150s including a Raptor last year. It is a pretty simple process to manage yourself if you use the right people. I bought my Raptor in Miami so had it shipped from there to Southampton. I used CF Rinkens, who in turn used their UK agent Autobox Logistics in Chelmsford to manage the process from this end. I bought from a dealer in Miami so they collated a lot of extra parts for me - bed liner, bed cover, spare brakes, loud exhaust, etc and delivered it to the Miami docks, handing over to Rinken's local agent.
The shipping took around 16 days and on arrival I paid the port fees, import duty and VAT via Autobox. I had to sign an export power of attorney form to allow the US dealer to act as the official shipper. Annoyingly the US customs insisted this was notarised, which slowed things up a little.
On arrival the container it was in was delivered to a local freight handler for offloading. They confirmed the tax had been paid and handed the truck over. I insured it against the chassis number so was able to drive it home. I received the NOVA form from Autobox , so was able to enter into the IVA process.
I did all the conversion work myself, running new wires for the lights and fitting a separate reverse light. It is a fiddly process as the Raptor uses a CAN bus to run a lot of the light functions so you have to dig deep - I picked up the brake light signal from the pedal switch to separate it from the rear lights. It will need a fog light with a warning light that is linked to the headlamps. I ended up feeding this via a diode. You need a chassis plate made up showing all the weights as the truck will not show the CGVW. The truck failed the first IVA test as they deemed it needed roof marker lights due to the width, so I added some small stick-on LED lights and it passed.
It was pretty simple overall and saved a lot of money so I'd recommend going this way. It'll be worth it!
Is it registered as a car (under 3.5 tonnes) or a truck under 7.5 tonnes). What's the usable payload you have been left with?The shipping took around 16 days and on arrival I paid the port fees, import duty and VAT via Autobox. I had to sign an export power of attorney form to allow the US dealer to act as the official shipper. Annoyingly the US customs insisted this was notarised, which slowed things up a little.
On arrival the container it was in was delivered to a local freight handler for offloading. They confirmed the tax had been paid and handed the truck over. I insured it against the chassis number so was able to drive it home. I received the NOVA form from Autobox , so was able to enter into the IVA process.
I did all the conversion work myself, running new wires for the lights and fitting a separate reverse light. It is a fiddly process as the Raptor uses a CAN bus to run a lot of the light functions so you have to dig deep - I picked up the brake light signal from the pedal switch to separate it from the rear lights. It will need a fog light with a warning light that is linked to the headlamps. I ended up feeding this via a diode. You need a chassis plate made up showing all the weights as the truck will not show the CGVW. The truck failed the first IVA test as they deemed it needed roof marker lights due to the width, so I added some small stick-on LED lights and it passed.
It was pretty simple overall and saved a lot of money so I'd recommend going this way. It'll be worth it!
Thanks
It is registered as PLG and as it is homologation exempt the road tax is £160. The payload is 2,437kg according to the factory figures (GCWR minus GVWR). You need to add a new weight plate as the factory one does not include the GCWR. It is shown in the Ford brochures and you'll need to take a copy along as proof for the IVA test.
maxc said:
I've imported a couple of F150s including a Raptor last year. It is a pretty simple process to manage yourself if you use the right people. I bought my Raptor in Miami so had it shipped from there to Southampton. I used CF Rinkens, who in turn used their UK agent Autobox Logistics in Chelmsford to manage the process from this end. I bought from a dealer in Miami so they collated a lot of extra parts for me - bed liner, bed cover, spare brakes, loud exhaust, etc and delivered it to the Miami docks, handing over to Rinken's local agent.
The shipping took around 16 days and on arrival I paid the port fees, import duty and VAT via Autobox. I had to sign an export power of attorney form to allow the US dealer to act as the official shipper. Annoyingly the US customs insisted this was notarised, which slowed things up a little.
On arrival the container it was in was delivered to a local freight handler for offloading. They confirmed the tax had been paid and handed the truck over. I insured it against the chassis number so was able to drive it home. I received the NOVA form from Autobox , so was able to enter into the IVA process.
I did all the conversion work myself, running new wires for the lights and fitting a separate reverse light. It is a fiddly process as the Raptor uses a CAN bus to run a lot of the light functions so you have to dig deep - I picked up the brake light signal from the pedal switch to separate it from the rear lights. It will need a fog light with a warning light that is linked to the headlamps. I ended up feeding this via a diode. You need a chassis plate made up showing all the weights as the truck will not show the CGVW. The truck failed the first IVA test as they deemed it needed roof marker lights due to the width, so I added some small stick-on LED lights and it passed.
It was pretty simple overall and saved a lot of money so I'd recommend going this way. It'll be worth it!
I’ve got a truck coming in a few weeks and I assumed I would just have to trailer it home. If I insure it I can just drive it home? I don’t think it will even have any plates on it? The shipping took around 16 days and on arrival I paid the port fees, import duty and VAT via Autobox. I had to sign an export power of attorney form to allow the US dealer to act as the official shipper. Annoyingly the US customs insisted this was notarised, which slowed things up a little.
On arrival the container it was in was delivered to a local freight handler for offloading. They confirmed the tax had been paid and handed the truck over. I insured it against the chassis number so was able to drive it home. I received the NOVA form from Autobox , so was able to enter into the IVA process.
I did all the conversion work myself, running new wires for the lights and fitting a separate reverse light. It is a fiddly process as the Raptor uses a CAN bus to run a lot of the light functions so you have to dig deep - I picked up the brake light signal from the pedal switch to separate it from the rear lights. It will need a fog light with a warning light that is linked to the headlamps. I ended up feeding this via a diode. You need a chassis plate made up showing all the weights as the truck will not show the CGVW. The truck failed the first IVA test as they deemed it needed roof marker lights due to the width, so I added some small stick-on LED lights and it passed.
It was pretty simple overall and saved a lot of money so I'd recommend going this way. It'll be worth it!
Trailering would be the sensible option as what I did was questionable. I have several sets of US plates and a US licence so the police I spoke to about it were OK as long as I could show it was insured and going through the approval process. If you trailer it, be aware of how big it is - I tried to load mine on my car trailer and it was way too wide - and the trailer takes my '63 Galaxie!
Geo22 said:
maxc said:
I've imported a couple of F150s including a Raptor last year. It is a pretty simple process to manage yourself if you use the right people. I bought my Raptor in Miami so had it shipped from there to Southampton. I used CF Rinkens, who in turn used their UK agent Autobox Logistics in Chelmsford to manage the process from this end. I bought from a dealer in Miami so they collated a lot of extra parts for me - bed liner, bed cover, spare brakes, loud exhaust, etc and delivered it to the Miami docks, handing over to Rinken's local agent.
The shipping took around 16 days and on arrival I paid the port fees, import duty and VAT via Autobox. I had to sign an export power of attorney form to allow the US dealer to act as the official shipper. Annoyingly the US customs insisted this was notarised, which slowed things up a little.
On arrival the container it was in was delivered to a local freight handler for offloading. They confirmed the tax had been paid and handed the truck over. I insured it against the chassis number so was able to drive it home. I received the NOVA form from Autobox , so was able to enter into the IVA process.
I did all the conversion work myself, running new wires for the lights and fitting a separate reverse light. It is a fiddly process as the Raptor uses a CAN bus to run a lot of the light functions so you have to dig deep - I picked up the brake light signal from the pedal switch to separate it from the rear lights. It will need a fog light with a warning light that is linked to the headlamps. I ended up feeding this via a diode. You need a chassis plate made up showing all the weights as the truck will not show the CGVW. The truck failed the first IVA test as they deemed it needed roof marker lights due to the width, so I added some small stick-on LED lights and it passed.
It was pretty simple overall and saved a lot of money so I'd recommend going this way. It'll be worth it!
I’ve got a truck coming in a few weeks and I assumed I would just have to trailer it home. If I insure it I can just drive it home? I don’t think it will even have any plates on it? The shipping took around 16 days and on arrival I paid the port fees, import duty and VAT via Autobox. I had to sign an export power of attorney form to allow the US dealer to act as the official shipper. Annoyingly the US customs insisted this was notarised, which slowed things up a little.
On arrival the container it was in was delivered to a local freight handler for offloading. They confirmed the tax had been paid and handed the truck over. I insured it against the chassis number so was able to drive it home. I received the NOVA form from Autobox , so was able to enter into the IVA process.
I did all the conversion work myself, running new wires for the lights and fitting a separate reverse light. It is a fiddly process as the Raptor uses a CAN bus to run a lot of the light functions so you have to dig deep - I picked up the brake light signal from the pedal switch to separate it from the rear lights. It will need a fog light with a warning light that is linked to the headlamps. I ended up feeding this via a diode. You need a chassis plate made up showing all the weights as the truck will not show the CGVW. The truck failed the first IVA test as they deemed it needed roof marker lights due to the width, so I added some small stick-on LED lights and it passed.
It was pretty simple overall and saved a lot of money so I'd recommend going this way. It'll be worth it!
Insure it on the vin number.
No problems
Done it twice now, and insurance company were more than OK.
R1
Ok that’s interesting. It’s an 82 C10 shortbed so should fit on my mates trailer fine but be nice to get a good drive in it. I have some US plates I could stick on it just to make it look more legal I guess. I’ll have a chat with my insurance and see what’s what.
Thanks for the advice!
Thanks for the advice!
My last truck, which arrived at Chatam was driven back home.
It still had the US plates but was insured on the VIN.
Now, all that means is that you are insured as far as legality goes.
You are still driving it without valid UK registration, Road Tax and whatever version of the MOT/IVA you need.
It's also unlikely that the light & indicators are UK legal.
There's no exemption from this. Not even "I'm just picking it up from the docks and going to do it" counts.
If the right (or wrong) Officer Dibble decides to pull you over, there's plenty you can be done for.
Having said all that, it didn't bother me in the slightest when I picked mine up and was a risk I was prepared to take.
It still had the US plates but was insured on the VIN.
Now, all that means is that you are insured as far as legality goes.
You are still driving it without valid UK registration, Road Tax and whatever version of the MOT/IVA you need.
It's also unlikely that the light & indicators are UK legal.
There's no exemption from this. Not even "I'm just picking it up from the docks and going to do it" counts.
If the right (or wrong) Officer Dibble decides to pull you over, there's plenty you can be done for.
Having said all that, it didn't bother me in the slightest when I picked mine up and was a risk I was prepared to take.
HD Adam said:
My last truck, which arrived at Chatam was driven back home.
It still had the US plates but was insured on the VIN.
Now, all that means is that you are insured as far as legality goes.
You are still driving it without valid UK registration, Road Tax and whatever version of the MOT/IVA you need.
It's also unlikely that the light & indicators are UK legal.
There's no exemption from this. Not even "I'm just picking it up from the docks and going to do it" counts.
If the right (or wrong) Officer Dibble decides to pull you over, there's plenty you can be done for.
Having said all that, it didn't bother me in the slightest when I picked mine up and was a risk I was prepared to take.
Surely you only need the MoT, IVA etc. at the time you register it. Before that it is just another foreign-registered vehicle on the UK roads?It still had the US plates but was insured on the VIN.
Now, all that means is that you are insured as far as legality goes.
You are still driving it without valid UK registration, Road Tax and whatever version of the MOT/IVA you need.
It's also unlikely that the light & indicators are UK legal.
There's no exemption from this. Not even "I'm just picking it up from the docks and going to do it" counts.
If the right (or wrong) Officer Dibble decides to pull you over, there's plenty you can be done for.
Having said all that, it didn't bother me in the slightest when I picked mine up and was a risk I was prepared to take.
Geo22 said:
Ok that’s interesting. It’s an 82 C10 shortbed so should fit on my mates trailer fine but be nice to get a good drive in it. I have some US plates I could stick on it just to make it look more legal I guess. I’ll have a chat with my insurance and see what’s what.
Thanks for the advice!
Don't put the US plates on it.Thanks for the advice!
If there are US plates on it, then take them off before you drive it home.
Just insure on the vin.
No more, no less.
R1
KevinCamaroSS said:
Surely you only need the MoT, IVA etc. at the time you register it. Before that it is just another foreign-registered vehicle on the UK roads?
In a word, no.The Law said:
You can usually use a vehicle with foreign number plates without registering or taxing it in the UK if all of the following apply:
you’re visiting and don’t plan to live here
the vehicle is registered and taxed in its home country
you only use the vehicle for up to 6 months in total - this can be a single visit, or several shorter visits over 12 months
You are not a visitor.you’re visiting and don’t plan to live here
the vehicle is registered and taxed in its home country
you only use the vehicle for up to 6 months in total - this can be a single visit, or several shorter visits over 12 months
Once you export, the vehicle is unregistered in the US.
Basically, you would be driving without Tax, registration & MOT as far as the law goes. Probably failure to display a number plate.
You also don't fit the Construction & Use regs unless you do a light conversion at the docks before you drive out.
Will you get caught? Unlikely.
Are you breaking the law? Absolutely.
If you want to risk it, go for it. I've done it twice & not been caught.
If you are risk averse, get a trailer.
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