Discussion
Been in and mentioned my 2 cars and Motorbike that Specialised Shipping in Woking shipped, modified and registered but I am going to bring in a challenger as I can buy it now keep it for 6 months and still get it in duty free, so why not. Specialised have given me a good price for the conversion and I am going down there in 4 weeks time to have a look at one that will be there then - I will keep you all in the loop as to how they handled it
Good luck with it. Hope for your sake customs people don't look at this forum!!!!! Especially as your profile says you live in the South east of England!! If it were that easy to bring cars in duty free, perhaps more people would do it!!! I do not know who has advised you but you really should be aware that what you are suggesting is nonsense unless very strict criteria are met, and do not think for a minute that Customs will not check- they have seen it all before!!
Viper said:
if you own a house in the US, state register the car to your name and put some miles on it over the 6 months i dont see any problems, then keep it for 12 months in the UK before selling it on and you dont pay VAT, know a few UK people gone that route, all legal
Not only do you have to have proof you owned the car in the states i.e proof of insurance, you also have to prove you lived in the states for at least 12 months with utility bills etc as proof.I m sure people have got away with it but technically you have to prove residency, it is clearly not designed as a perk for a bunch of Florida second home owners!! I do know of people who have fallen foul of the rule having been advised that it is all legitimate and "perfectly legal", they have ended up with fines equivalent to the unpaid duty and taxes. Not nice!
Viper said:
if you own a house in the US, state register the car to your name and put some miles on it over the 6 months i dont see any problems, then keep it for 12 months in the UK before selling it on and you dont pay VAT, know a few UK people gone that route, all legal
Ireland59 said:
Silly person you - I was resident in America for for 5 years and have returned to the UK to live on a permanent basis - I still have a home out there which is up for sale. These are my personal vehicles - perhaps you should check your facts!!! -
Ireland59 said:
...going to bring in a challenger as I can buy it now...
Its none of my business, I was just mentioning the rules for others to consider as at times customs clearance agents and shipping agents will tell you what you want to hear not what the facts are!! I do, however, think your wording of returning on a permanent basis and the fact that you are here already and that you are buying a car now in the States to bring home means you are no longer eligible for personal import relief. I might be wrong though and good luck with it! But do bear in mind the penalties are pretty horrendous.
Ireland59 said:
Silly person you - I was resident in America for for 5 years and have returned to the UK to live on a permanent basis - I still have a home out there which is up for sale. These are my personal vehicles - perhaps you should check your facts!!! -
Crikey - I thought I was on a car forum! - and that my personal circumstances regarding return to the UK would not cause such a strong - not forgetting sarcastic - response. I am not cerebrally "Challenged" - excuse the pun - and not only did my HR department support the info I was given but I did a double check myself due to my personal situation whereby I was returning to the UK way in advance of my wife. Perhaps I should have said my wife is getting the car but this was far too boring and too much information. I would strongly recommend that everyone contemplating an import ensures they are armed with a comprehensive knowledge of the rules and not rely on hearsay and conjecture.
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