Importing a car from Guernsey

[mm23]

Morning all,

As title want to import a car over from Guernsey. Can a recovery truck/trailer with a car on the back get on a ferry from the back to the mainland?

I can’t seem to find the information online?

Does anyone have any recommendations for a transport company that can undertake this?

Also I understand from research registering a car in the UK I will have to pay 20% VAT (does this apply if car was exported 2 years ago from the UK) how is vat calculated as it is a private sale will a invoice be sufficient?

Kindest regards

M

P.s I’m sorry if this in the wrong forum

[clarkey]

I've done this before, first for a motorbike in Guernsey, then a car in Jersey.

I brought the car back on a trailer. There is lots of space for a larger car transporter if you need it. Crossings can be a little unreliable in the winter.
Steps are:

Check VAT status - it may have been paid before. If it needs paying, contact VAT office for forms. You'll provide an invoice or receipt to back up your VAT amount you want to pay.
When VAT has been paid, complete form V55/5 with DVLA. You will need to provide proof of a certificate of conformity or IVA/SVA pass, and the vehicle will need to be insured using the chassis number.

That's it. VAT payment can be slow (you claim, they invoice you, you pay, then they write back with confirmation, its not a quick process). DVLA may not be quick either. If VAT needs to be paid it's probably 4 to 8 weeks start to finish.

[mm23]

Thank you for your reply.

How do I go about finding out if vat has been paid?

[Biggles111]

I did this for a car from Guernsey.

Some useful background here if you have not seen it
https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

I chose to fly there and then drive the car back. A trailer would be better, I insured the car using the VIN with a classic car insurance company who are used to doing this on newly imported cars, and then drove the car immediately to a pre-booked MoT. Before leaving Guernsey I gave the car a basic inspection, got the tyres changed on the island as they were cracked, and headed to the ferry.

My car had previously been UK registered, and was VAT paid. However it did not satisfy requirements for VAT relief. HMRC told me at the time:

'As per HMRC Vat information sheet 06/13: notification of vehicle arrivals -

I have considered your point that the vehicle was previously registered in the UK per Reg Certificate provided; however as this vehicle left the UK and now you have imported it, no relief conditions can be fulfilled (HMRC Notice 3, Sections 4 to 7) as it is not goods being reimported by the previous exporter, nor is Transfer of Residence applicable as you are not moving/returning your home/goods.'

I did not argue this further as the VAT was only £500, with no import duty. I paid, HMRC issued a NOVA, and then DVLA then processed the registration. Took around 6 weeks overall. Not too complicated.

[Seattaken]

Not answering your question, but if you haven't physically seen the car be very careful, cars rust very very badly in the CI, also mileage counts for nothing when considering condition.

[Ntv]

Seattaken said:

Not answering your question, but if you haven't physically seen the car be very careful, cars rust very very badly in the CI, also mileage counts for nothing when considering condition.

The other thing is it's all town driving. Not great.

[Ntv]

mm23 said:

Morning all,

As title want to import a car over from Guernsey. Can a recovery truck/trailer with a car on the back get on a ferry from the back to the mainland?

I can’t seem to find the information online?

Does anyone have any recommendations for a transport company that can undertake this?

Also I understand from research registering a car in the UK I will have to pay 20% VAT (does this apply if car was exported 2 years ago from the UK) how is vat calculated as it is a private sale will a invoice be sufficient?

Kindest regards

M

P.s I’m sorry if this in the wrong forum

No VAT to pay if it's been paid in the UK before.