VAT & Duty on a 1997 exotic import into UK from USA

[OSMojo]

Dear all

Too much confusing info out there. Does anyone know what the rule is on importing a 1997 either Lamborghini or Ferrari would be?
Cost of car around $100k

[jwdh1]

Hi

Father-in-law just imported a Z8 from New York. As the car you are importing is less than 30 years old you'll pay 20% duty + registration fee when it comes in. He shipped it over with shipmycar.com (based in Milton Keynes I believe) who are really good and sort everything out for you.

[johnnyreggae]

jwdh1 said:

you'll pay 20% duty + registration fee when it comes in.

Could you double check that since it seems unlikely that he did not pay VAT as well as the duty rate seems unusually high

My recollection is import duty is 10% on landed price including shipping and then VAT is 20% but that was a while ago

There is also a can of worms as to whether there is any flexibility in the 30 year rule for collectors cars which then used to be eligible for preferential rates

Edited by johnnyreggae on Monday 13th September 10:04

[jwdh1]

johnnyreggae said:

jwdh1 said:

you'll pay 20% duty + registration fee when it comes in.

Could you double check that since it seems unlikely that he did not pay VAT as well as the duty rate seems unusually high

that was the total he paid, car cost + 20% + registration (just asked him about it, he used the word duty - probably meant VAT!)

[OSMojo]

Thanks all.

I am speaking to the 'cars' dept of the HMRC, apparently the 30 year cut off can be excused if the car is exceptionally rare and of unusual historical automotive interest.

I'll update the post with what they come back with.

[jwdh1]

OSMojo said:

Thanks all.

I am speaking to the 'cars' dept of the HMRC, apparently the 30 year cut off can be excused if the car is exceptionally rare and of unusual historical automotive interest.

I'll update the post with what they come back with.

I don’t suppose they gave you any idea what would fit those 2 criteria did they? Just done the same with an F40 that is 30 next November so has to go into bonded storage until then. No-one during the process hinted that the 30 year rule could be flexible!

[johnnyreggae]

Just found this which describes the possibility https://www.importing-cars.co.uk/services/import/c...

[jwdh1]

johnnyreggae said:

Just found this which describes the possibility https://www.importing-cars.co.uk/services/import/c...

thank you Johnny, that's really interesting. An F40 must fall into some sort of category that allows it in slightly early!

[OSMojo]

jwdh1 said:

I don’t suppose they gave you any idea what would fit those 2 criteria did they? Just done the same with an F40 that is 30 next November so has to go into bonded storage until then. No-one during the process hinted that the 30 year rule could be flexible!

They haven't got back to me yet. I doubt it'll be possible TBH.

[OSMojo]

They got back, they didn't care if it was super rare, the moment it is under 30 years old it is 20% VAT and 10% 'duty'
So 30% to import a car from the USA (plus shipping + DVLA).