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In-house CDS customs agents
Customs clearance, handled in‑house.
Customs is one of the most complicated parts of importing a car. Our in-house team of CDS customs agents does the paperwork, calculates exactly what you owe and gets your car released — with no surprise fees at the border.
- All customs paperwork organised and completed on your behalf
- The correct amount of tax — no unexpected fees at customs
- Private purchases and personal imports both covered
- One team for the whole import, not lots of different companies
25+ yearsimporting cars into the UK
Thousandsof cars cleared from around the world
In-houseCDS customs agents — not outsourced
NOVAsubmitted to HMRC on your behalf
What we handle
We’ll handle all customs clearance when importing your car to the UK.
We always recommend working with import specialists for this stage. Our team speeds up clearance and spots potential complications before they cost you time or money.
Customs paperwork
We organise and complete all paperwork on your behalf so your car passes through customs seamlessly.
Tax calculations
You pay the correct amount of tax when importing your car — no additional or unexpected fees at customs.
Private or personal imports
From private purchases to people moving to the UK, our experience covers every scenario. We can advise on all importations.
Dedicated support team
We manage the full import process, so you don't have to coordinate lots of different companies.
Common questions
Are we customs agents?
Yes we are customs agents and have the authority to act on your behalf (with your permission) as a customs agent. This means that we can keep everything in house ensuring a seamless end to end service.
Most shipping agents can also act as customs agents so long as you have the prerequisite documentation for your vehicle.
Can we assist with CDS entries only?
We regularly help quite a few of our customers who need assistance with bringing back cars. We always recommend filling in the form or giving us a call as we can help with most customs related queries.
If you are wanting to purchase a vehicle from the EU and bring them back here, then you will require a CDS entry. You also require a CDS entry for vehicles shipped to the UK.
Will I pay import tax?
It depends on where the car comes from — and why you’re bringing it.
Choose the situation that fits you to see which rules apply, then enter your figures for a quick estimate of the VAT and duty due.
0% VAT0% duty
Moving to the UK
If you're moving to the UK and bringing your car with you, you won't pay any import duty or VAT. You'll complete a Transfer of Residence application with HMRC — customers of My Car Import get handy guides to help.
Not sure if you qualify? Ask for a quote and we'll explain, or read our Transfer of Residency guide.
- You've lived outside the UK for more than 12 months
- You've owned the car for more than 6 months
- You're moving your normal residence to the UK
Relief applies once HMRC approves your Transfer of Residence application. We'll confirm your eligibility in your quote.
Estimate what you’ll pay
£
Invoice more than 3 months old? Use a recent valuation instead.
£
- Value for customs
- £0
- Import duty
- £0
- Import VAT
- £0
- Estimated tax
- £0
A guide only. VAT is charged on the car’s value plus transport and any duty. Foreign-currency invoices are converted at HMRC’s exchange rate. We’ll confirm the exact figure in your quote.
20% VAT0% duty if EU/UK-built
Bought in the EU
Cars registered in the EU attract 20% import VAT, based on the purchase price plus the cost of transporting the car to the UK. It's calculated from your purchase invoice, or a recent valuation if the invoice is more than 3 months old.
Cars built in the EU or UK don't usually pay import duty. A car bought in the EU but built elsewhere — in Japan or the USA, for example — can attract 10% duty.
- Purchase invoice (or recent valuation)
- Transport costs to the UK are included in the value
- Classic car? Check the over-30-years rate
Estimate what you’ll pay
£
Invoice more than 3 months old? Use a recent valuation instead.
£
- Value for customs
- £0
- Import duty
- £0
- Import VAT
- £0
- Estimated tax
- £0
A guide only. VAT is charged on the car’s value plus transport and any duty. Foreign-currency invoices are converted at HMRC’s exchange rate. We’ll confirm the exact figure in your quote.
20% VAT10% duty
Bought outside the EU
Cars registered outside the EU attract 10% import duty and 20% import VAT, based on the purchase price plus the cost of transporting the car to the UK.
VAT is charged on top of the duty, and is calculated from your purchase invoice — or a recent valuation if the invoice is more than 3 months old.
- Purchase invoice (or recent valuation)
- Shipping and transport costs are included in the value
- Some trade agreements can cut duty where the car's origin can be proven — we'll check for you
Estimate what you’ll pay
£
Invoice more than 3 months old? Use a recent valuation instead.
£
- Value for customs
- £0
- Import duty
- £0
- Import VAT
- £0
- Estimated tax
- £0
A guide only. VAT is charged on the car’s value plus transport and any duty. Foreign-currency invoices are converted at HMRC’s exchange rate. We’ll confirm the exact figure in your quote.
5% VAT0% duty
Classic cars over 30 years old
Cars over 30 years old qualify for a special rate of taxation because of their historical interest, much like an antique. You'll pay just 5% import VAT and no import duty.
It's based on the purchase price plus transport costs to the UK, using your purchase invoice or a recent valuation if the invoice is more than 3 months old.
- More than 30 years old
- In its original condition, with no substantial changes to the chassis, steering, brakes or engine
- Applies to cars from the EU and the rest of the world
Estimate what you’ll pay
£
Invoice more than 3 months old? Use a recent valuation instead.
£
- Value for customs
- £0
- Import duty
- £0
- Import VAT
- £0
- Estimated tax
- £0
A guide only. VAT is charged on the car’s value plus transport and any duty. Foreign-currency invoices are converted at HMRC’s exchange rate. We’ll confirm the exact figure in your quote.
0% VAT0% duty
Returning a formerly UK-registered car
If you exported a car from the UK and are now bringing it back, you may be able to import it tax-free.
You'll need to show the car was originally bought in the UK, so keep the paperwork safe before it leaves.
- Your UK purchase invoice from when you bought the car
- A copy of the former UK V5C logbook
Tax-free return depends on HMRC accepting your evidence. We'll check your documents before the car ships.
Estimate what you’ll pay
£
Invoice more than 3 months old? Use a recent valuation instead.
£
- Value for customs
- £0
- Import duty
- £0
- Import VAT
- £0
- Estimated tax
- £0
A guide only. VAT is charged on the car’s value plus transport and any duty. Foreign-currency invoices are converted at HMRC’s exchange rate. We’ll confirm the exact figure in your quote.
1 Jan 2021End of free movement
What about Brexit?
Before Brexit, cars moved freely between the UK and the EU. Since the Brexit transition period ended on 1 January 2021, that no longer applies — every car imported from the EU now goes through UK customs and is subject to import VAT, just like a car from anywhere else in the world.
More on tax and duty
How much VAT and Import duty will you have to pay?
It really depends on where your car is from and other factors, we recommend filling in the form or dropping us an email. There are a plethora of different tax & duty brackets — we always want to give you an accurate idea of what that looks like.
Does where my car was built affect the amount of duty I pay?
Yes, even though a car can be from the EU it might be from America! For your specific customs query we always recommend filling in a form so we can give you the most accurate answer.
What happens if I don't have a purchase invoice for my car?
There are a few things you can do, we recommend getting in touch with us. Most of the time however, it is important to get this sorted before shipping any vehicles.
Notification of Vehicle Arrival
What is NOVA?
NOVA is how HMRC is told that a car has arrived in the UK. It’s directly linked to the DVLA — so if your NOVA hasn’t been completed, the DVLA will reject your registration application.
We helped build it.
When the NOVA rules changed on 15 April 2013, My Car Import attended all the stakeholder meetings and helped HMRC test the new system before it went live. Our online portal now sends your NOVA notification directly to HMRC on your behalf.
- Your car arrives in the UK
By road from Europe or by sea from further afield — the clock starts on the day it lands.
- NOVA submitted to HMRCWithin 14 days
We send the car's details to HMRC through our portal, well inside the deadline.
- VAT and duty paid
Any tax due is settled with HMRC — the exact amount we calculated for you up front.
- DVLA registration
With NOVA cleared, the DVLA can register your car and issue UK plates. Then it's tax, insure and drive.
Driving it before your V55 comes through
Technically, so long as the car is still insured in the EU, you can drive it.
If you are still using the car — an over-10-year-old you have taken for its MOT, say, while we are assisting with the paperwork — we recommend keeping your foreign insurance in place while you wait for your V55. It can be swapped over then.
Timing and problems
How long does customs clearance take for an imported car?
If your vehicle is being driven or transported from the EU it is usually possible to clear it the same day. If we are clearing a shipped vehicle then there is usually a few days at port but we always aim to clear it before any charges are due.
What happens if my customs declaration is incorrect?
If you incorrectly value your vehicle it can hold up the process. If it is incorrect or HMRC require more information, they will get in touch with us.
Can we help with clearing your vehicle that is already on the water?
Yes! We can assist regardless of what stage of the process your vehicle is at. We regularly find that some of our customers have managed the initial process of getting the vehicle here but struggle with the hurdles that come once the vehicle is on the water which is where we are here to help.
Our in-house team
One team, from the port to your plates.
Going it alone means documentation, customs declarations, duties and taxes, and a whole lot of transport coordination. It’s quite the minefield.
With an in-house customs team, the entire process is organised and completed for you — and we can cover every other step of your import too, from shipping to testing and registration.
What the DVLA requires
- Give HMRC the car's details within 14 days of arrival.
- Pay any VAT due before the DVLA can register the car.
- Register, tax and fully insure it before using it on the road.
Tell us where the car is and we’ll price the clearance
Make, model, year, where it is now and what you paid. We’ll tell you the VAT and duty due, and handle the NOVA and the paperwork from there.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Can’t see your question? Speak to the customs team directly.
How soon do I have to declare a car to HMRC through NOVA after it arrives in the UK?
You must notify HMRC through NOVA within 14 days of the car arriving in the UK. Your NOVA is vital — without it, you cannot register your car.
It is possible to import a car to the UK yourself, but it can be a lengthy and often complicated process. My Car Import offers a service to manage it all for you.
Do you have an in-house customs clearance team?
Yes, we certainly do. The customs process can be complicated when you're going it alone — there's documentation and paperwork, customs declarations, duties and taxes, and a lot of transport coordination to deal with.
Working with an in-house customs team means the entire process is organised and completed for you. In fact, we can cover every aspect of your import, from start to finish.
Can you help with the NOVA application?
Absolutely. We can help with any issues you have getting a NOVA for your car, and if you import with My Car Import, we'll take care of the whole process for you.
Our experts make sure you meet all the applicable rules, including tax and duty obligations and car valuations. We stay up to date with the latest regulations and changes, saving you a great deal of time and effort.
Do I have to pay VAT on a car from the EU?
Yes — unless you're bringing it in under the Transfer of Residence scheme. Second-hand cars from the EU attract 20% import VAT, or 5% for qualifying cars over 30 years old. Cars built in the EU or UK don't usually pay import duty.
Do I qualify for Transfer of Residence relief?
If you're moving to the UK, have lived outside the UK for more than 12 months and have owned the car for more than 6 months, you can usually import it free of VAT and duty. If you're unsure, ask us for a quote and we'll explain your options, or read our Transfer of Residency guide.
Speak to the customs team
Get your car cleared and on UK plates.
Whichever way your car is arriving, the customs side is the same team, the same portal and the same figure quoted up front.
- Free & no obligationGet a quote
- Call the team01332 810442
- Email ussales@mycarimport.co.uk
- See what customers sayTrustpilot reviews
- Transfer of ResidencyMoving to the UK? Import your car free of VAT and duty.
- Shipping and transportCollection in Europe, container and ro-ro from further afield.
- IVA, MSVA and MOT testingThe first private IVA and MSVA testing lane in the UK.
- DVLA registrationTen working days from a passed test to UK plates.