How to Import Cars from Germany & Japan?

Question

Hello
I would like a step by step guide on how to import a car from Germany & Japan for resale in the UK, an estimate (formula) for the costs involved, some helpful links and resources on this specific subject.

Can anybody help?

Answer 1

A 40 foot shipping container will take 2 cars. This will cost you £2,000 to get from Japan to the U.K..

You will pay around 30% in import duty, VAT and brokerage charges on the total value of the consignment (including shipping costs) - if the cars are valued at, say, £10,000 each, that will total around £8,500.

In order to get the vehicles registered in the U.K., they each will have to pass an SVA (Single Vehicle Approval) test. This costs around £1,000 per test, per vehicle (if it fails the SVA, you cannot register it and you will be charged the full fee to re-test). You will have to do this for every vehicle you import.

So, your 10 grand cars will EACH cost you approximately an extra £6,250 to get on the road in the U.K.
Unless you are a full blown professional import business, it's really not worth it...

Answer 2

There are a few companies I've seen which buys cars at auction in Japan (their auctions have very strict rules to the condition/roadworthyness of the cars) and will ship them over to you. You'll have to do a google/web search as I've forgotten some of the companies.

Search this on a good search engine: japan car import

There is a tax when car arrives in UK though.

I was tempted to get a cheaper Toyota Rav 4 by going this route... but also I then found out you need to declare your car as an import when it comes to your getting UK car insurance, which may also require you getting specialist insurance... so all weighed up I just couldn't be bothered.

Answer 3

particular, you are able to import a automobile. "Import" is a Customs and Border protection remember. Customs accountability would be around six %. no longer too confusing. yet then you certainly ought to do DOT and EPA varieties. in case you like tocontinual the automobile, the paperwork would be a nightmare. you will choose EPA certification and for California, CARB certification. not sure that a jap automobile will meet the two of those standards. additionally, DoT will require compliant lights furniture, tires, tail lamps, etc. And the particular style will ought to have been crash examined. in case you are able to no longer show *all* of the standards, you are able to no longer get DoT to certify your automobile as compliant. and then DHS-CBP won't launch the automobile to you. And if CBP won't launch the automobile to you, getting DMV to sign in the automobile is moot. some agencies make a residing via enhancing all autos so as that they meet EPA and DOT standards. yet those agencies do no longer try this fee effectively. shifting the guidance wheel to the left hand is obtainable, yet far from decrease priced. All in all, i think of you will spend waa-aay extra money attempting to deliver a jap automobile onto California roads than you will spend for a extra useful automobile, already right here. in case you insist on spending a good number of money, initiate via looking a great Customs broking provider. ... Take care!!