sales taxes?

Question

hi can anyone tell if i purchased a car from the usa on the internet from the uk to import to the uk would i have to pay sales tax in the usa please.

Answer 1

You normally only pay Sales Tax (actually it's called Use Tax in this situation) when you register and title the vehicle. If you had it shipped without being registered and titled, no tax would normally be collected.

There is a "Catch 22" to that, however. You are likely to have trouble with the DVLA if the paperwork from the US does not show you as the legal owner of the vehicle. The easiest way to prove that is to provide a US registration document and title certificate. You'll have to pay the Use Tax to get those documents unless you register and title the vehicle in a state that does not levy a sales tax.

If you are looking to buy a car via the internet, do NOT send any money unless you have PERSONALLY inspected the vehicle and its documentation! There are massive numbers of scams with international vehicle sales and I'd dare say that the majority of adverts targeting buyers in different countries from the alleged owner's residence are outright frauds. If you can't afford to fly to the US and physically inspect the vehicle and complete the transaction then do NOT send the "seller" any money!

Answer 2

If the car is being delivered to UK (and is not first registred in the USA), then you will not have to pay any sales tax in the USA on the purchase.