importing yank car then driving to europe

[tonypilot101]

hi was thinking of importing second hand yank car bringing into a uk port then driving immediatley to europe via the tunnel.
is it possible to land the car here and then drive in uk directley to eurotunnel for registraion in france?
i suppose the insurance will be an issue?

[LuS1fer]

You still have to pay the 10% duty and 20% VAT and of course the car won't have an MOT so your insurers, even if they agreed to you driving it (unlikely) could avoid liability as it would not be technically roadworthy even if it's over 10 years old and IVA doesn't apply.

I think what I'm trying to say is no.

[powerstroke]

I know nothing about French laws but you will need to pay duty and vat if its going to stay in Europe and there will be some sort of issue about type aproval to get it registered, I would guess it will need some mods like lights, white side lights and orange rear indicators etc ....maybe best do it here and then into europe, not cheap!!!! make sure you know what your getting into before you jump.
hope that helps....

Edited by powerstroke on Saturday 8th January 18:34

[shovelheadrob]

I looked at "importing" an American car to another european country a few years ago, a couple of friends have property in different countries, the import duties do vary a bit from one country to another & although there was a bit to be saved, it was going to be such a headache sorting out the paperwork that we gave it up. Also the money saved would have been blown on the fuel driving it back!

[Chordiant]

A few months ago, I imported a Navigator to Spain from the UK.

Whilst the Navi conformed to UK law, there were a few 'tweaks' needed to ensure it conformed to Spanish law and the subsequent ITV (MOT).

Would I do it again with another USA vehicle? Yes - but with a caveat that it complied with European law prior to import. The main reason is the amount of money saved and what the vehicle is now worth here, in Spain.

Direct from the USA and then Europe? A huge, resounding NO..!

[mikef]

France is apparently a nightmare for personal imports compared to our relatively straightforward SVA process

If you speak some French, google for "DRIRE importation"