Skip to main content

Importing your car from Bahrain to the United Kingdom

Why choose My Car Import?

We have completed a large number of imports for customers from all over the world, especially from the United States. In fact, there aren’t many countries from which we haven’t imported cars.

Our team consists of expert mechanics, experienced logistic management agents on every continent, and many other experts in their fields to ensure that you have a smooth experience importing your car. We have recently upgraded our facilities and have a unique relationship with the DVSA, so we can perform IVA testing on-site if necessary.

We are the country’s only car importers with a private testing lane. When your motorhome is being tested, DVSA inspectors come to us. When your car is being tested, DVSA inspectors come to us. Alternatively, depending on the route to registration, we can also perform an MOT on-site.

Keeping everything under one roof expedites the process significantly because we don’t have to transport your car off-site and schedule a test at another facility.

Once your car arrives at our facility, it will not leave until it has been registered. It will remain in our care until you are ready to pick it up or have it delivered to you.

Our newly acquired premises are safe, secure, and extremely large, so your car will not be crammed into a corner.

 

Deregistering the car in Bahrain

The first stage of the process requires the car to be deregistered in Bahrain before it can be shipped to the UK.

When you go ahead with your quote we will put you in touch with our agents who will assist with providing the information required to get your car deregistered which is something that is unique to several countries in the UAE and is required to export your vehicle.

We have partnered with some of the most reliable and helpful agents to ensure that there are no issues getting your car out of Bahrain.

Loading & Shipping of your car

Whilst in our capable hands, you can have complete confidence that our team will take great care of your car during the loading process. Our handpicked agents are vastly experienced in this field so will load carefully and fasten securely so the car won’t move an inch in transit.

For further peace of mind, we do offer transit insurance as an additional option that will insure the car to its full replacement value throughout the journey from Bahrain to the UK.

Once in the United Kingdom, we have a trusted partner that manages all of the inland transport and we can offer enclosed and unenclosed.

Rest assured we find the very best transporters in the world and only use them for their reliability.

At present getting your car back from Austria after Brexit requires a little more paperwork so we would recommend getting in touch for a quotation.

Type approval?

  • We can modify your car at our premises
  • We can test your car at our premises
  • We can take care of the entire process
  • Or we can register your car remotely and take care of the paperwork (depending on the car).

In order to be registered and able to be driven on UK roads, cars under ten years of age and imported from Bahrain are required to undergo an IVA test.

With My Car Import, you’ll benefit from us being the only company in the country to have its own IVA testing lane so turnaround times are far quicker as we avoid having to send your car elsewhere.

To pass this stage of the process, your car will require a number of modifications to ensure it is suitable for UK road use. Just some of the changes we will make include installing a rear fog light if one isn’t fitted as standard, converting the speedometer to mph and adjusting the headlight settings. Each car is likely to require a different level of work so we will always supply you with a bespoke quote to get a clear understanding of the costings.

If your imported car is over ten years old an IVA test is not required, yet modifications and road suitability testing will be necessary. It must also pass an MOT test before the DVLA will register the car.

DVLA Registration

Once the car has undergone the necessary testing and modifications, the next stage is the registration with the DVLA. We again are able to speed up this process for our clients as we have our own DVLA Account Manager who is on hand to process all applications.

We then deliver or you can collect your car.

After the car is registered, we will then fit new UK number plates and the car is ready to hit the road. We can either arrange for collection from our East Midlands depot or deliver the car direct to the door of your property.

We take care of the entire process

We manage the whole process on your behalf, whether that is dealing with the homologation team of your car’s manufacturer or the Department for Transport, so you can relax in the knowledge that you will be legally registered with the DVLA in the shortest time possible.

Moving back to the United Kingdom?

A large number of individuals decide to bring their cars back from Bahrain taking advantage of the tax-free incentives offered when relocating.

We can assist in taking care of the car whilst you are in the process of moving. If you have chosen to ship your personal belongings along with your car in the same container we are also on hand to collect the car on your behalf.

Get a quote

Frequently asked questions

What is the process for importing cars under ten years old?

For cars that are under ten years old from Austria, they will need to comply to UK type approval. We can either do this with a process called mutual recognition or through IVA testing.

Every car is different and every manufacturer has different support standards for assisting their clients through the import process, so please enquire so we can discuss the optimum speed and cost option for your individual circumstances.

What is the process for importing cars over ten years old?

Over 10-year-old cars and classics are type approval exempt, but still require an MOT test and certain modifications prior to registration.

The modifications depend on the age but are generally to the headlights and rear fog light.

How long does it take to ship a car from Bahrain to the United Kingdom

If you are shipping your car from Bahrain to the United Kingdom in a container, it is important to note that the shipping time can vary. On average, the process takes approximately 3 to 6 weeks. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that this is just an estimate and the actual duration may differ.

After filling out our quote form we will provide you a price based on the current shipping rates but we will also give you are current estimated time frames. They do change from month to month but usually 3 to 6 weeks is a great estimate.

Factors can change the time to ship a car, so it is best to understand that shipping a car is slightly different to ordering a parcel from abroad.

However, our team of experts are here to help with any questions you have and will ensure your car arrives in the United Kingdom as fast as possible.

Get your no obligation free quote today

Will I pay import tax?

Are you moving to the UK?

If you are 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 will be eligible for a tax and duty free import.

To qualify, you will complete a Transfer of Residency application with HMRC. Customers of My Car Import have access to handy guides to complete this application.

Get a quote

Have you bought a car from the EU?

Vehicles registered in the EU attract 20% import VAT, based on the purchase price of the car and any associated transport costs to bring it to the UK. The import VAT is calculated on your purchase invoice for the car, or a recent valuation if the invoice is more than 3 months old.

Get a quote

Have you bought a car from outside the EU?

Vehicles registered outside the EU attract 20% import VAT and 10% import Duty, based on the purchase price of the car and any associated transport costs to bring it to the UK. The import VAT is calculated on your purchase invoice for the car, or a recent valuation if the invoice is more than 3 months old.

Get a quote

Have you bought a classic car?

Vehicles over 30 years old qualify for a special rate of taxation, due to their historical interest, similar to an antiquity.

You will pay 5% import VAT and no import Duty, based on the purchase price of the car and any associated transport costs to bring it to the UK. The import VAT is calculated on your purchase invoice for the car, or a recent valuation if the invoice is more than 3 months old.

Get a quote

Have you got a car that was formerly UK registered?

If you exported a car from the UK and are now returning with it, you may be able to import the car back into the UK tax free, as long as you can provide a UK purchase invoice when you acquired the car, along with a copy of your former UK V5C logbook.

Get a quote

For a no obligation quotation to import your car fill out our quote form.

We have imported thousands of cars from around the world into the United Kingdom and we have over 25 years experience doing so.

Get a quote
Get a quote