How to fill in the Transfer of Residence form

when importing a vehicle to the United Kingdom

What is a Transfer of Residence form?

If you’re moving back to the United Kingdom then importing your vehicle through the Transfer of Residence scheme may be for you!

There are a few things you need to do before we can assist you along your way. When importing on the Transfer of Residence scheme it’s important to note that you can import your vehicle tax-free.

Once you’ve decided to move back there is a ToR form on the HMRC website. ToR stands for Transfer of Residence. You can find the form here: ToR1 form.

Before you get started on your Transfer of Residence form there are firstly a few things you need to complete:

You will need to lists all the items you’re beginning back in your vehicle. Try to be as specific as possible if you’ve got large items such as microwaves and big appliances. On the other hand, if you’re bringing back books and clothing these don’t need to be as specific and can just label ‘clothes’ and ‘books’.

You will also need a copy of your passport to upload onto the form.

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What you need before getting started

You need to upload images with your Transfer of Residence form, PDF scans or JPEG photos work best.

Before you begin to complete the Transfer of Residence form, you’ll need:

A list of all the items you’re bringing to the UK – this can be a Word document or a scanned image of the items in your vehicle, you do not need to provide a value to your items.
Your passport photo page – if you’re in the military and do not have a passport, you’ll need to provide a picture of your NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) orders or moving orders.
Proof of your UK address, such as a utility bill (dated within the last 3 months) or a mortgage or rental agreement – if you do not have a UK address yet, provide either:
a statement from the person you’ll be living with and proof of their address.
Evidence of temporary accommodation, such as a hotel booking.
Proof of the non-UK address you’re moving from (or moved from previously), such as a utility bill (dated within the last 3 months) or a mortgage or rental agreement; this should be for your usual non-UK address.

Details of any vehicle you’re bringing with you, including the:

Year of manufacture.
Model.
Brand.
VIN or chassis number.
Registration number.
Date the ID number or registration certificate was issued and the country of issue
purchase date.

Filling out your TOR form

Below is a video walkthrough of the Transfer of Residence form. You can find the form here: ToR1 form.

For a more detailed walkthrough of the form, we have broken down each question you will need to answer

1. Are you an agent acting on behalf of a client?

Answer: No

2. What are you planning to do in the UK?

There may be many reasons why you may be moving to the UK, simply click the one that applies to you.

3. Enter your details

Here you need to fill in your personal information, make sure your name is the same that is throughout your paperwork.

4. Upload a picture of the photo page of your passport

You need to either scan your passport onto your computer or take a picture of it. Make sure you save it as a jpg file.

5. What is your telephone number?

Provide your current phone number just in case HMRC need to contact you about your ToR application.

6. Will you be living in the UK for 12 consecutive months?

To apply for the Transfer of Residence scheme you will need to live in the UK for the next 12 months.

7. Have you lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months?

Like question 6 you can only apply for the Transfer of Residence scheme if you have lived outside of the UK for the last 12 months.

8. Are you already living in the UK?

You now need to confirm the date you expect to arrive in the UK.

9. Enter your current address

10. Upload proof of your current non-UK address

These documents must match the address on question 9. Make sure you save these images as a jpg file.

11. Do you already know the permanent address where you will live when you come to the UK?

12. Upload proof of the address where you will stay

The address on these documents must match the information given on question 12.

13. Is this the first time you have lived in the UK?

14. What do you want to claim tax relief on?

As you are filling out this form, to import your vehicle tax-free you’ll need to check the option of the vehicle.

15. Will you keep all of the items that you are claiming tax relief on for at least 12 months?

You won’t be able to claim on the TOR scheme if you are planning on selling the vehicle within 12 months of it being here.

16. What type of vehicle are you bringing to the UK?

We will be able to assist you in importing your car, trailer, caravan or motorcycle so if one of those applies to you then click the appropriate box.

17. Details of the vehicle

18. Upload a list of items you are bringing to the UK

This can be a Word document or a scanned image of the items in your vehicle, you do not need to provide a value to your items.

IF YOU’RE NOT BRINGING ANYTHING IN YOUR VEHICLE YOU STILL NEED A WORD DOCUMENT STATING ‘NO ITEMS OTHER THAN CAR’.

18. Upload a list of items you are bringing to the UK

19. Have your goods already arrived in the UK?

20. Will you ship any of your goods before you move to the UK?

21. Will you import all of the goods within 12 months of moving to the UK?

22. Have you had possession of the goods for 6 consecutive months?

23. Will you continue using the goods for 12 months after moving to the UK?

If you are planning on selling your vehicle within the first 12 months of arriving you will not be eligible to claim on the ToR scheme.

24. Declaration

This is your chance to double-check all the information you have input into the form, if your happy all you need to do is tick this box and submit.

What next?

Once you’ve completed your Transfer of Residence form you will need to send it to HMRC and await approval.

Once your ToR application has been approved HMRC will give you your unique number. When you’ve received this number we can further assist you with your application and get things moving.