Importing Vehicles into the UK

How to Import a Vehicle  

You must complete certain steps as soon as you bring a vehicle into the UK permanently. 

You can pay an importer or shipping company to do them for you. 

  1. Tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) within 14 days that the vehicle has arrived in the UK.  

  2. Pay VAT and duty if HMRC tells you to. 

  3. Get vehicle approval to show your vehicle meets safety and environmental standards. 

  4. Register and tax the vehicle with DVLA - they’ll give you a registration number so you can get number plates made up. 

You must also insure your vehicle before you drive it on UK roads. 

You can be prosecuted if you use your vehicle on a public road before you complete these steps, unless you are driving it to a pre-booked MOT or vehicle approval test. 

Commercial importers of new vehicles that use a secure registration scheme do not have to follow these steps. 

Bringing Your Vehicle in or out of Northern Ireland 

You can move your vehicle freely between Great Britain and Northern Ireland if it is registered in either country. Tell DVLA about the change of address. 

Visiting the UK with a Vehicle 

Follow the rules for temporary imports instead if both of the following apply: 

  • you do not usually live in the UK 

  • you are bringing a vehicle to the UK for less than 6 months 

See Also: 

Further information on Importing Vehicles into the UK can be found on GOV.UK's website.