You found the perfect vehicle while on holiday or a business trip abroad.

Certain formalities must be completed before bringing the vehicle back into the UK. Indeed, the importation of a new or used vehicle is subject to strict rules, regardless of its origin.

TRANSPORTS MARI Limited in London handles all the administrative procedures for you. 

Vehicle import regulations 

Since Brexit, importing a vehicle into the UK has become a more complex process, subject to strict administrative and customs formalities. Whether you are a parallel importer (from an EU country) or a grey importer (from China, Japan, the United States, or other emerging markets), you will need to pay taxes based on the mileage, age, and origin of the vehicle. Customs duties amounting to 10% of the vehicle's value excluding taxes are also required. Additionally, VAT of 20% is applied, calculated on the vehicle's value plus customs duties. A favorable tax regime is available for classic cars (over 30 years old), resulting in reduced customs duties and a VAT rate of 5.5%, subject to authenticity and usage criteria. 

To simplify the procedures in the customs office, please provide us with the following documents:  

• A detailed and estimated inventory of your imported personal belongings, dated and signed (in two copies) 
• The customs declaration form 
• A certificate of change of residence 
• The original vehicle registration document 
• The registration certificate from the country of origin 
• The purchase invoice for the vehicle, including the valid foreign license plate 

In return, the customs authorities will issue you: 

• A certified copy of the inventory 
• The customs clearance certificate 

Registration of imported vehicle 

To register the imported vehicle with the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), certain documents must be presented: 

• The original vehicle registration document 
• The certificate of disposal or purchase invoice 
• The European Certificate of Conformity (COC) 
• The customs clearance certificate 
• The proof of ownership 
• The insurance certificate 
• The MOT certificate (if required) 
• The registration certificate application form (V55/4 for new vehicles, V55/5 for used vehicles) 
• Your driving license 
• Proof of residence in the UK 

Commercial importers of new vehicles using a secure registration system do not need to follow these steps. 

The registration process, and by extension the registration of the vehicle, includes the payment of VED (Vehicle Excise Duty). To do this, inform HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) within 14 days of the vehicle's arrival in the UK. 

Your imported vehicle must also be approved through the Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) process if it is new or undergo an MOT (Ministry of Transport) test if it is over three years old. You must also insure your vehicle before driving it on UK roads.