Exporting a car to the UK...Anyone done it?

[Chilli]

Gents,

A mate is looking to export his AMG back to blighty, but apart from the shipping costs what else is there (expense wise) to consider when he gets it to the otherside? Is it just a few admin expenses?

Many thanks.

[dxbtiger]

Potential tax and SVA implications I'd guess but not sure what.

There is a company out here that does this, there are in Qusais I think but can't for the life of me remember what they are called, sorry.

[Harris_I]

The last I remember there is no VAT on cars over 6000miles and 6months old. I think there is no import duty if it's for your personal use and you don't sell it on within a period of time (possibly one year?) All this stuff is available online at HMRC's website, though it's really difficult to sift through.

I have had conflicting information in the past as to whether you can import one or two cars tax free.

[Chilli]

Thanks gents

[yorky500]

Don't you also have to change a few things on the car like lights and some other stuff?

[Harris_I]

There are some rules around SVA'ing which I can't remember. IIRC, if I were exporting my integrale, I understand it is old enough not to require an SVA but would need an MOT (hence the need to check fog light was on the correct side, headlights are pointing in the right direction and speedo was in miles - can't remember what else).

OTOH, as a newer car, the GT3 would need to go through an SVA (though that might be something to do with it being modified), unless I can blag a Certificate of Conformity (or some such document) from Nabooda, in which case I think I don't need an SVA, just an MOT.

All very confusing.

[dxbtiger]

yorky500 said:

Don't you also have to change a few things on the car like lights and some other stuff?

Yeah I know if I were to take the Mustang back it would require new rear light cluster as there is no orange indicators, some other small stuff like that.