Sunday, 20 March 2011

Infoblog: Importing Vehicles into the UK

KIS Cars Infoblog: Information on Importing Vehices into the UK

A vehicle which is permanently imported for use in Great Britain must be registered and licensed as soon as possible after it arrives in this country. After arrival you are only entitled to drive the vehicle on foreign registration plates from the port of entry to your home address, place of destination or to a pre-arranged test. Thereafter the vehicle must be kept off the road until the registration formalities have taken place. Application for registration should be made to your nearest DVLA Local Office however they may no longer offer an "over the counter service"

A "brand new" vehicle can be driven to GB and registered as "new" provided the vehicle is registered in GB quickly after collection - this is taken to be 14 days but may be extended to one calendar month at peak periods (e.g. prior to 1st March and 1st September) and only have reasonable delivery mileage and has not been previously "permanently" registered.

For most new vehicles you must present evidence of Type Approval from the supplier or vehicle manufacturer, usually in the form of a Certificate of Conformity. If the vehicle has not been subject to Type Approval it must pass a Single Approval (SVA) Test.

Vehicle Registration
The following documents will need to be submitted to the DVLA Local Office.
  • Completed application form V55/5.
  • A £25 registration fee (if applicable).
  • The required fee for the licence.
  • A current British certificate of insurance.
  • Foreign registration document and any other papers you have relating to the vehicle.
  • Evidence showing the date the vehicle was collected (normally the invoice from the supplier).
  • Evidence of type approval.
  • The appropriate Customs and Excise form.
  • A current British MOT test certificate (if applicable).
  • A Declaration of Newness (if applicable).
In some cases the DVLA may wish to see the vehicle to check its identity.
Type Approval
Non-type approved vehicles less than 10 years old that are personally imported are required to pass a Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test. To qualify as a Personal Import [PI], the following conditions have to be met: If the vehicle has been imported by a person entering the United Kingdom and the person had, at the time the vehicle was imported, been normally resident in a country other than the United Kingdom for a continuous period of at least 12 months, that person intends to become normally resident in the United Kingdom, that the vehicle has been in the possession of that person and used by him in the country where he has normally resident for a period of at least 6 months before its importation and that the vehicle is intended for his personal or household use in the United Kingdom.

Personally imported vehicles over 3 years old, that meet the above criteria, will be subject to the MOT test.

Customs & Excise Registration Documents
Vehicles Imported from the EU
  • VAT415 - This form must be completed by individuals who have personally acquired a New Means of Transport in another Member State. The form is available at DVLA Local Offices and following completion will be forwarded to Customs and Excise. The form can also be obtained from VAT Business Advice Centres.
  • VAT 413 - This form is issued by Customs & Excise for NMT (originating from within the European Union (EU) and are less than 6 months old or have travelled less than 6,000 kms) vehicles which have been personally acquired within the EU and which have been notified direct to Customs & Excise, instead of the DVLA Local Office.
  • VAT 414 - This self-declaration form can only be used in the following circumstances:
    • For NMT vehicles acquired commercially within the EU by VAT registered traders.
    • For vehicles not classed as NMT´s (i.e. over 6 months old or have travelled more than 6000kms) which have been acquired from within the EU.
Vehicles Imported from outside the EU
  • C & E 386 - This form is issued by Customs & Excise for a vehicle of any age personally imported from outside the EU
  • C & E 388 - This form is issued by Customs & Excise for a Customs restricted vehicle of any age personally imported from outside the EU.
  • C & E 389 - This is a self-declaration form which should be used by VAT registered traders for commercial imports from outside the EU.
  • BFG 414 - This form is issued to all Customs relieved vehicles, irrespective of age, which have been personally acquired within the EU by British Forces Germany personnel.
For further advice and information on import duty and tax contact HM Customs & Excise at Dover 01304 224557.


KIS Cars - Vehicle Supply, Sourcing & Finance
Ph: 01277 725111
www.kiscars.co.uk

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