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Thailand → United Kingdom

Importing your car from Thailand to the United Kingdom

We are experts in navigating the customs procedures and arranging secure transportation, dedicated to ensuring a seamless journey from beginning to end.

  • Container or RoRo shipping
  • Customs handled in house
  • Cars, classics and motorbikes
  • DVLA registration handled
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Why choose My Car Import?

We cater to all vehicles

Our seasoned team of professionals understands the unique requirements of importing cars from Thailand to the United Kingdom. We are experts in navigating the customs procedures and arranging secure transportation, we’re dedicated to ensuring a seamless journey from beginning to end.

Whether you’re seeking a classic car, a luxury car, or a one-of-a-kind find, our service is designed to cater to your individual car or motorbike. Backed by years of experience in the industry, we’ve earned a reputation for being efficient, reliable and trusted.

We take care of your car’s importation with decades of experience and our passion for automobiles.

Let us bridge the gap between Thailand and the United Kingdom to make it a seamless process where you don’t have to worry.

  1. We modify your car at our premisesThe car is modified and tested by ourselves for compliance in the United Kingdom.
  2. We test your car at our premisesAll relevant testing is undertaken onsite at our privately owned IVA testing lane.
  3. We take care of the entire processFrom transport and customs through to modifications, testing and DVLA registration.
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Tell us where your car is and what stage you’re at, and we’ll price the whole job.

Frequently asked questions

Every vehicle is different. If yours isn’t covered here, just ask.

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How long does it take to import a car from Thailand to the UK?

The duration can vary based on several factors, including the shipping method, customs procedures, and any unforeseen circumstances.

The stages

  • Sourcing and preparationFinding the car in Thailand, ensuring it meets your specifications, and preparing it for export. Unless you already have the car, that is.
  • ShippingContainer shipping, which provides added security, might take around 4 to 6 weeks. Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) shipping could take approximately 3 to 5 weeks.
  • Customs clearanceA few days to a week, depending on the efficiency of the customs process.
  • Compliance and modificationsFrom a few days to a few weeks, depending on the extent of changes needed.
  • DVLA registrationTypically a few weeks, as it involves paperwork processing and obtaining UK number plates.

Considering these stages, the entire process could take approximately 2 to 4 months or more.

Can you apply for the ToR scheme when moving from Thailand?

Yes, you can apply for the Transfer of Residence (ToR) scheme when moving from Thailand to the United Kingdom. The scheme allows individuals moving to the UK to bring their personal belongings, including cars, without paying certain import duties and taxes.

You apply for the ToR online through the UK government’s official website, providing proof of residency in Thailand, proof of upcoming residence in the UK, proof of car ownership and usage, and other relevant documents. If your application is approved you’ll receive a Transfer of Residence reference number, which is presented to customs officials when your car arrives.

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

We do this using an IVA test. We have the only privately operated IVA testing facility in the UK, meaning your car will not be waiting for a testing slot at a government testing centre, which can take weeks, if not months to obtain. We IVA test every week on-site and therefore have the fastest turnaround to get your car registered and on UK roads.

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

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.

We have built an extensive catalogue of the makes and models of cars we have imported so can give you an accurate estimate of what your car will require to be ready for its IVA test.

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

Cars over 10 years old are type approval exempt but still require a safety test, called an MOT, and similar modifications to an IVA test prior to registration. The modifications depend on the age but are generally to the rear fog light.

If your car is over 40 years old it does not need an MOT test and can be delivered directly to your UK address ahead of it being registered.

Importing from somewhere else?

We collect from right across the EU. Pick a country for the guide to bringing a car home from there.

North America

Asia–Pacific

Middle East

Europe outside the EU

Africa

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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