Requirements for Car Shipping From the US to the UK

For car shipping from the US to the UK, US military service members need the original title, or original notarized lien letter with a copy of the title, for the vehicle as well as their PCS orders and passport or EIN as the US documentation export requirements. For non-military US exports, required documents include the vehicle’s original title, a copy of the bill of sale, and the passport or EIN.

US Military Service Members:

• The Original Title/Original Notarized Lien Letter with a Copy of the Title
• PCS orders
• EIN or passport

Non-Military US Exports:

• Vehicle’s Original Title
• Copy of the Bill of Sale
• EIN or Passport

The UK required documentation for imported vehicles is a copy of the bill of sale and a copy of the registration certificate or vehicle title.

• Copy of the Bill of Sale
• Copy of the Registration Certificate/Vehicle Title

Temporary imports, where a vehicle is registered and taxed in its home country, used for up to six total months in the UK, and is owned by a visitor with no intention of living in the UK, allows vehicles to be used with foreign number plates without UK registration or tax.

• Owned by a visitor with no intention of living in the UK
• The vehicle is registered and taxed in its home country
• The vehicle is used for up to six months (total)

If your vehicle does not meet those conditions, there will be duty and taxes. You must pay any VAT and duty when shipping your car to the UK before your car will be released by customs. Vehicles more than 30 years old with no major modifications have no duty and a 5% VAT, while vehicles 30 years old or less have a 10% duty and 20% VAT. Different numbers apply for boats.

Vehicles Less than 30 Years Old:

• 10% Duty
• 20% VAT

Vehicles More than 30 Years Old:

• 0% Duty
• 5% VAT
• In the Original Condition/No Major Modifications

Boats Under 12 Meters:

• 17% Duty (2.7% if boat doesn’t exceed 100kg)
• 20% VAT

Boats Over 12 Meters:

• 0% Duty
• 20% VAT

*An additional “retaliatory duty” rate of 25% is enforced by the EU/UK for motorcycles and boats manufactured in the US.

Cost and transit times vary greatly depending on departure and arrival port locations. Generally speaking, vehicles coming from the East Coast take about 15 days to get to the UK and 30 days from the West Coast. You will need to factor in more time for customs clearance and vessel loading and unloading, so expect the whole shipping process to take about 30-45 days from the USA East Coast and 45-60 days from the West Coast.

• About 15 Days from the US East Coast
• About 30 Days from the US West Coast
• Factor in Additional Time for Customs Clearance and Vessel Loading/Unloading
• Approximately 30-45 from the US East Coast and 45-60 days from the US West Coast

To determine the cost of car shipping from the US to the UK, submit a free quote request with no obligation.

You will need to demonstrate proof of vehicle approval, meaning that your imported vehicle meets regional environmental and safety regulations. UK exemptions mean you might not need approval for a vehicle that was first registered or manufactured over 10 years ago. You can download the required forms and get more information here to contact the DVLA to ensure your vehicle meets all requirements.

• Make Sure Your Vehicle Meets All Requirements by Contacting the DVLA
• Download Required Forms/Find More Information at gov.uk

Vehicles brought to the UK permanently must be registered. Registration cannot occur until HM Revenues and Customs has been notified and gives confirmation that your NOVA application is processed. You will need to pay VAT and duty if instructed by HMRC and then get proof of vehicle approval, which includes a tax with a £55 fee. DVLA might ask to inspect the vehicle. It can take up to 6 weeks for your registration certificate (V5C) to arrive, which you need for number plates.

• Notify the HMRC you Imported a Vehicle/Confirm your NOVA Application is Processed
• Pay the Duty and VAT if Instructed by the HMRC
• Get Proof Your Vehicle is Approved

Trans Global has service from all US Ports, including New York, Baltimore, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Galveston, Los Angeles, and more as departures. From there, your car can come to any destination port in the UK, including Southampton, Felixstowe, Liverpool, London Gateway, Dublin, Belfast, and Aberdeen, before being further transported to any inland UK location, right to the door.

Roll On Roll Off (RORO)

We offer RORO, shared container shipping, dedicated container shipping, and air freight options for car shipping from the US to the UK. RORO offers competitive rates and sometimes has the quickest container time, but has limited port calls and requires that vehicles are in good running condition.

Shared Container Shipping

Shared container shipping allows more port options and shared costs, but the transit time can be longer since the container can only depart with a full load.

Dedicated Container Shipping

Dedicated container shipping is the quickest and most expensive besides air freight, which is rarely used. For more questions about what transport option is right for you, reach out.