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Importing your car from the US to the UK
We import hundreds of them a year, and the lighting work alone is the most involved of any country we deal with. Here is the whole process, start to finish.
- Two weeks at sea from the East Coast
- 5% import tax on cars over thirty years old
- Lighting converted in our own workshop
- Our own IVA lane — no government queue
There’s little we find more exciting than importing a US car to the UK. Call us car-geeks, but our in-house US car experts only have to see a Mustang or a Caddy to have their day fulfilled.
It’s fair to say that we import hundreds of cars from the US to the UK, and the vast majority of US cars you see on UK roads will have been shipped by My Car Import.
The process of getting your car to the UK is fairly long and complicated, but when you hand it over to us, you’ll cut the standard time in half, save your hard-earned cash and free yourself from stress. It’s that easy.
The shipping of a car can be daunting, particularly from America and we understand that during this time, you’ll be eager to know it’s safely through the gates of the port, cleared through customs, and safely on its way to our premises, all of which we take care of.
For this reason, we provide GPS tracking so you can check the status of your car at any stage of the journey. It’s terrific for peace of mind and means that you can count down the days until your awesome US car is parked on your driveway.
Without further ado, let’s outline the process for you.
My Car Import has US partner agents
That’s right! We’ve worked long and hard to build longstanding and trusted relationships with our US agents. For you, it means the collection of your vehicle is perfectly coordinated and the entire shipping process is swift and seamless.
Our partners are on-board with our rigid guidelines and time-saving processes, so we work hand in hand like clockwork to bring your car across the pond. That means no half-hearted loading of your vehicle, they carry our reputation so it’s important that we work with only the best in the industry.
Our US agents will collect your car and deliver to ports in either New York, Fort Lauderdale or Oakland. They’ll then expertly load it into a container for shipping. Once the car reaches UK soil, they’ll hand over to us to organise customs clearance and the necessary paperwork.
We’ll then transport to our Castle Donington HQ and prepare the car for the necessary UK compliance modifications. We’ll then register your car and deliver it to your preferred address.
That’s a fully inclusive service by one team, under one roof. Well, almost…
How does the import process work?
Once you’ve completed our quote form to outline your requirements, be it a fully inclusive door-to-door service or just part of the process, we’ll collect your car from a pre-selected, designated address. Your vehicle will be transported to the nearest port, whether that’s in Oakland, Houston, Savannah, or New York.
We’ll clear you through customs, ensuring that you don’t overpay by a mere dollar, and get your car ready for shipment.
Shipping options can vary depending on a few different factors. For some, it can be a matter of cost, others opt for the safest or quickest method.
Roll-on/roll-off shipping is a popular method for shipping cars, as it involves driving the car onto a specialized vessel. It tends to be faster than other options.
The most popular is open or enclosed shipping containers. Your car is placed inside a container for added protection, and we advise on the best option. It’s a safer method than Ro-Ro and more suitable for classic cars, but it isn’t quite as fast due to the additional handling.
Although we’ll give you our best advice, it’s ultimately up to you. Typically, the shipping container is the most popular option.
Your car will be loaded onto the shipping container or vessel with the utmost care. Our specialist US agents are every bit as car orientated as we are, so they spend time meticulously securing your car to avoid damage in transit.
Throughout the entire transportation process, your car is fully insured in accordance with our terms and conditions. That means full marine insurance which covers your vehicle in transit until you receive it in the UK. This covers the full purchase value in the unlikely event of total loss, and any damage incurred has a repair excess of £450.
Will my car be safe?
If you have concerns about safety, you can lay them to rest.
Thanks to our hard work and extensive efforts in collaborating with dependable logistics partners, we are able to successfully move thousands of cars each year without issue.
We always advise you to document the condition of your car pre-import with photographic evidence. Once we recover the car in the UK, the first thing we do is a full sweep of the car to inspect for any damage. Your insurance will cover any damage though it isn’t an issue that we anticipate.
Rest assured that the loading, unloading and full transport process will be impeccably safe and efficient. We treat every car like it’s our own, and that stands for something.
How long will the import take?
If you opt for a direct shipping route from a US to UK port, the average transit time can range from 10 to 30 days. Please bear in mind that this is subject to change based on several factors.
Collating the paperwork, containerising the car and meeting the ship usually takes around two-weeks. The West Coast can often take a little longer than the East Coast at around four weeks, while the East coast takes an average of two-weeks.
It’s also important to note that this is just the time spent at sea and doesn’t include other processes such as customs clearance, loading/unloading, and transportation to/from the ports.
Sometimes, cars may be shipped indirectly, where they are transhipped or transported via intermediate ports. This can extend the overall shipping time. The duration will depend on the specific routing and connections involved.
If you choose container shipping, where your car is placed inside a container for added protection, it may take slightly longer compared to roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping. This is due to the additional handling and consolidation processes involved in containerized shipments.
Roll-on/roll-off shipping is a popular method for shipping cars, as it involves driving the car onto a specialized vessel. RoRo vessels are specifically designed to accommodate cars. This method is generally faster than container shipping due to reduced handling and quicker loading/unloading processes
East Coast
~2 weeks
At sea. New York and Savannah.
West Coast
~4 weeks
At sea. Oakland and Houston.
Before it sails
~2 weeks
Paperwork, containerising and meeting the ship.
Over 30 years old
5% tax
Against 20% for anything younger.
How much will it cost to import my car?
As much as we’d love to give you a ballpark estimate, it’s not quite that straightforward. And if you’ve tried researching the answer yourself, you’ll likely to have noticed that the information is vague. There’s good reason for that.
The age of your car significantly influences the overall import cost. Then there’s the import tax which serves as the foundational calculation in determining your car’s total value upon arrival in the United Kingdom.
There are the necessary conversions required to allow you to legally drive your car in the UK. The cost of converting a car tends to be higher for newer vehicles, especially those less than ten years old. Nevertheless, it’s important to recognize that each car from the USA is unique in its characteristics and requirements.
You will need to understand the tax implications. This is one of the areas that customers tend to struggle with the most.
If your car falls into the classic category, it’ll meet one of two tax rates: under 30 years old at a rate of 20%, and over 30 years old at a reduced rate of 5%. If you have owned and used the vehicle for over six months and lived in the US for over 12 months, you can import your car tax free when relocating to the UK.
More often than not, classic cars fall into the lower tax bracket which is a terrific cost-effective advantage.
We have successfully imported a wide spectrum of vehicles, ranging from classic Ford Mustangs to brand-new, extensively modified pickup trucks. Every car necessitates a tailored plan to ensure compliance with the United Kingdom’s regulations.
For an accurate and detailed quotation that elaborates on the intricacies of importing your specific car from the USA, we’ll need you to get in touch outlining the specifics of your car. That way, we can give you a more in-depth idea of cost.
Modifications of US cars for UK Compliance
When it comes to US cars, the modification process is one of the most in-depth of all countries that we import from.
On arrival in the UK, your car will be subject to a number of tests and modifications to reach UK highway standards.
Modifications mainly include adjustments to the signals, and fog and brake lights on the car. Typically, US manufactured cars have different coloured indicators integrated into the brake light bulbs. They also have different coloured side lights, and the cars regularly have no side indicators or fog lights.
The US LHD market is radically different to LHD cars produced in the EU. We have the expertise to convert your car to UK standards using the latest in-house LED light technology. This allows our highly qualified technicians to complete the necessary changes with minor aesthetic impact.
Your headlights will need replacing or adjusting, including beam patterns and intensity levels. Failure to change your headlights beam pattern is non-compliant in the UK and can dazzle other road users. Vehicles with automatic levelling headlights may need to be equipped with manual levelling systems for compliance.
Don’t worry, if we can’t adjust your American vehicle’s headlights, we simply replace the headlight with its RHD equivalent.
Your taillights and brake lights will need a few adjustments to be configured to emit the correct colours and intensities, as specified by UK regulations. These lights need to be visible in different lighting conditions and angles.
American cars often have no individual indicators, their brake lights simply flash. In the UK, these must be amber turn signals.
We aim to create an OEM finish when adjusting any components using custom built LED lighting that fits the unique shape of the car.
You’ll also need side markers which don’t come with the vast majority of US spec cars.
We install side markers or side repeaters which are usually located in front of the passenger and driver side door. These need to match the sequential pattern emitted by the rear indicators.
Any additional lighting, such as fog lights or auxiliary lights must also meet UK lighting standards in terms of colour, intensity, and positioning.
American lighting conversions may involve rewiring the car to ensure proper connectivity and functionality of the lighting system. This could include adapting the car’s wiring harness to accommodate UK lighting components and configurations.
As no two cars are the same, it is highly recommended that you use the same company to fulfil all modifications to your American vehicle. This ensures that the converted lighting system meets UK standards while maintaining optimal functionality and safety.
Alternatively, if you’re importing a car to the USA, we recommend researching the specific lighting requirements and consult with specialists who can perform the necessary conversions to ensure compliance.
IVA and MOT testing
Cars imported from the USA under ten years old will need to undergo an IVA test before the DVLA will approve your registration.
As the first DVSA-approved company in the UK to have a private testing lane, we have operated our own privately operated IVA testing lane for twenty five years which makes us very efficient at what we do.
It’s great news for you as your car never leaves our site. That means you’re not subjected to standard government waiting times which can take weeks!
You don’t require an IVA for cars over ten years old. However, they do need to pass an MOT so must be deemed roadworthy in terms of signal lights, tyre wear, suspension, and brakes.
Fear not, we’ll be checking all of this!
Registering your US car
After the extensive process of importing, modifying, and testing your vehicle, it’s now time to proceed with the registration process. We do understand that at times the process can feel like a long time so at every stage of your cars journey we keep you updated. We also appreciate that you’re desperate to get your hands on your car.
Hold tight, the time is drawing near.
The registration stage involves submitting all the necessary paperwork to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). Once this paperwork is successfully processed, you will receive a unique registration number for your vehicle.
For classic American cars, we help with any supplementary paperwork that may be needed to facilitate the registration process.
Once we receive your registration number, we have the capability to rapidly produce your new number plates. We also valet your car before handing it back to you, just so it’s extra gleaming.
You’ll have the option to either collect the vehicle in person or have it delivered to your preferred location, whether it’s your home or another designated destination.
From this point of the import, all you need to do is insure your vehicle and get ready to take a long, well-earned cruise in the US countryside.
Can I import a motorbike or a van?
We’re often asked if we can import motorbikes, vans and motorhomes from the US.
The answer is, yes! Absolutely, and we do so frequently.
We’ve imported numerous motorbikes from the US, and while we’d love to say that includes a wide range of models, they’re nearly always classic Harley’s.
For motorbikes, we work with some of the best motorbike transporters in the industry to ensure there are no issues. The process for any vehicle is the same though modifications will vary.
We can discuss this with you during the quotation phase.
Why you should choose My Car Import
Allowing us to manage the car import process from the US to the UK means that you’re privy to the following services:
- Inland collection of your vehicle from the US
- Consolidated container shipment
- Comprehensive marine insurance
- Efficient, speedy handling of customs clearance
- Container unloading on site at My Car import
- All modifications and necessary tests to ensure UK road compliance
- Private IVA testing facility
- Fast track DVLA Registration
- Delivery to your pre-selected UK address
- Regular updates throughout
- Friendly, caring customer service from a team of car enthusiasts!
Now give us one good reason why wouldn’t you want My Car Import to handle the import process for you?
Answers
Frequently asked
Every American car is different. Send us the details and we will price it properly.
How long does a car take to arrive from the US?
Roughly two weeks at sea from the East Coast and around four from the West, on top of about two weeks to collect the car, do the paperwork and get it into a container. That is the sea passage only — customs clearance, unloading and the run to us are on top.
Once it is here, registration timings are set out in full.
What tax will I pay on a car from the US?
Two rates, on your own page above: 20% if the car is under thirty years old, 5% if it is over. And if you have owned and used the vehicle for over six months and lived in the US for over twelve, you can bring it in tax free when you relocate — that is a transfer of residence claim and it has to be applied for before the car ships.
Why do American cars need so much lighting work?
Because the US market is genuinely different rather than just left hand drive. Indicators are often integrated into the brake lights and flash red rather than amber, side markers are usually absent, and headlight beam patterns are wrong for UK roads. All of it is done in our own workshop with custom LED lighting, aiming for an OEM finish.
Will my car need an IVA test?
Under ten years old, yes, before the DVLA will approve registration. Over ten years old, no — but it still needs to pass an MOT. Either way the car never leaves our site, because the IVA lane is ours.
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