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Importing Motorhome from the US to UK:

9K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  sweetie 
#1 ·
I would appreciate any help the members may have to offer. I intend to import a second hand (20yr) BMW Vixen TD21 from the US to the UK soon.It is 21' long x 7'wide x 6'3" tall.Left hand drive,Diesel,manual 5 speed. (www.vixenrv.org - to see details.)This coach will be new to me in the next couple of weeks after which I plan on doing a short trip in the US before shipping from the East Coast (NY or Florida) to the UK (probably Southampton). The shipping part is straight forward enough but I would appreciate help in knowing the following;
1)Is VAT applicable
2)Is importation tax applicable...if so on what and at what rate %?
3)What if any modifications are needed to make the vehicle legal in the UK
4)I presume it will require an MOT and of course registration.......what is the best and most efficient way to handle this?
5)Is there a web site that could help with this search for information.?

Thanks very much,
 
#2 ·
I pinched this from another forum (a simple Google search would have thrown it up for you)
Insurance to cover the RV during the shipping will cost around 1.5% of the Value. Shipping costs will be between $110 and $150 per foot. The calculation is actually the Volume of the RV ie: Height x Length x Width = per Cubic foot or metre.

An agent acting on your behalf to deal with Customs and gain clearance costs between £40 (Brunswick) and as much as they can charge (others not named).
If you wish to do the clearance yourself?
You will need this form http://www.import-car.info/c104a.pdf

Customs Duty and VAT calculations are :-

10% Customs Duty on the RV's Value (or purchase price) + Shipping charges.

17.5% VAT on the RV's Value + Shipping charges + Duty.

Once you have had the RV cleared from Customs, a Collection/Delivery note will be sent to you to allow you to pick up your RV from the Docks. You will receive the C&E 386 form (Customs clearance) usually by post within 3 to 5 days.

Legally, you are allowed one trip in the RV to either your home address, or a company to carry out the conversions necessary for UK use on the road. Providing of course that the RV is insured in the UK. Insurance companies will quite happily insure an RV for up to 2 weeks for this purpose based on the VIN number.

Once the RV has been converted to UK road use, it must either have an SVA (Single Vehicle Approval) if less than 10 years old or a class IV (4) MOT if older than 10years old.
Having said that. A friend from Liverpool who imported a brand new RV went to the SVA and they said Motorhomes were exempt. Told him he better make sure.

To register the RV in the UK you will require the following:-
The Original Title Document
The Original Bill of Sale for the RV
The C&E 386
Form V55/4 (new) or V55/5 (used), from DVLA.
The MOT or SVA Certificate
Insurance Document
The correct fee for Licence for 6/12 months
The Registration fee of £38 (currently)
Documents proving and confirming your name and address:-
Documentation confirming your Name · Current DVLA paper driving licence, · UK/EU or foreign passport,· Marriage certificate,· Decree nisi/absolute, · Birth certificate. Documentation confirming your Address· Utility Bill valid within the last 3 months - gas, electricity, water, landline telephone, · Bank/Building Society statement valid within the last 3 months, · Medical Card, · Council tax bill for current year.

All the information necessary to import and register a Vehicle in the UK can be found here :- http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/exptimpt.htm

Customs - http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/

Duty & VAT - http://tinyurl.com/ebzlz

VCA (Vehicle Type Approval) - http://tinyurl.com/z4vxt

Enquiries to these two for shipping and carrying passengers:-

http://www.cargolines.biz/

http://www.freightercruises.com/

Can you save Import Duty & VAT? Yes. All the information can be found here:-

http://tinyurl.com/ojpyl
 
#5 ·
valphil said:
dont know if I should say this but ......if you get the guy you bought it off to give you a bill of sale at significantly lower than you paid , you pay less import tax and vat ...... :D
Nice idea valphil.
But customs are not daft and if they even so slightly think you are doing this they can impound the RV.
If the value is in doubt they can just call various RV dealers and get a real valuation. A modest reduction due to haggling or condition might be tolerated but customs will have the last say.

I have brought several in and customs were very straight with me.

Ray.
 
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