Car Shipping to the UK

Are you interested in shipping your car to the UK? Here’s what you need to know:

• How much does it cost? Car shipping from the USA to the UK starts at a cost of $849 USD, and the UK levies an import duty of 10% and VAT (value-added tax) of 20% of the value of the vehicle (unless it is a collector’s vehicle).
• How long does it take? Car shipment to the UK has an estimated turnaround time of 14-28 days.
• These estimates can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle, the port of origin, the final destination in the United Kingdom, and the method of shipment.

Below, we explore everything you need to know about shipping your car to the UK.

In This Article

US to UK Vehicle Shipping Checklist

Vehicle Import Options

Vehicle Import Approval

US to UK Car Shipping Costs & Time Frame

US to UK Vehicle Shipping Options

Additional Services

Ports Served in the US and UK

Cleaning Your Vehicle of Biosecurity Concerns

Plating Your Vehicle in UK

Other UK/US Shipping Options

Are you ready to get started shipping a car from the USA to the UK?

Here’s a rough breakdown of the process you’ll need to go through to ship your vehicle to the UK.

More information on the process of shipping a vehicle to the UK can be found here.

As you engage in the car shipping process, some of the most important questions to consider include:

These questions and more will determine whether your car is eligible for shipping to the United Kingdom. You should never assume your scenario is the same as someone else’s. Some vehicles such as classic cars may have eligibility requirements that differ from those for newer vehicles. Our expert shipping agents can help you determine whether your vehicle is eligible for import to the United Kindom from the USA.

To obtain an estimate of the cost to ship a car to the UK from the USA, fill out our free quick quote form.

Upon arrival of your vehicle import to the United Kingdom, the vehicle must be declared in Customs.

You’ll need the following documentation to ship a car to the UK:

Things to Consider

Taxes & Duties for Car Shipping from USA to UK

UK Vehicle Import Taxes

• Import Duty: 10%
• VAT: 20%
• Import Duty for Collector’s Vehicles: 5% VAT with no import duty

Instances Requiring VAT and Vehicle Tax:

Instances not requiring VAT and Vehicle Tax:

When it comes to transport methods, CFR Classic offers various car shipping options. Car shipping services from the USA to the UK can be performed using a shared container, a sole container, or a roll-on/roll-off service.

Roll-On/Roll-Off – Also known as RoRo shipping. With this method to ship vehicles, cars are driven into a ship with a cargo area like a sizeable parking garage. RoRo shipping tends to be more inexpensive, as only customs clearance charges, port charges, and shipping charges are payable. Your car will need to be in working condition to ship via this method, as it will have to be driven onto a shipping vessel.

Shared Container Service – Your vehicle will be shipped together with multiple others in one container. With container shipping, there will be a wider range of fees payable than with roll-on/roll-off shipping, which are to be shared between all the people using the container, such as a terminal handling charge, trucking charge, charge for unloading the vehicles at a bonded warehouse and customs clearance charge.

One of the downsides of the shared container shipping service is having to wait a long time before shipping a car, as the container can only depart when it has a full load.

Full Container Load – This method to ship a car resembles the shared container shipping service, except that your vehicle will be the only one in the container. In terms of the shipping cost, similar fees to those charged for the shared container load are collected, however, these are borne by only one client rather than divided between several.

This shipping method tends to result in quicker transits since weekly departures are possible. With ro-ro services, departures are often not as frequent, meaning longer turnaround times for shipping cars overseas.

Instead of wood ramps which other companies use, we rely on a steel loading system, which is more effective at preventing loss and damage, ideal for transporting classic cars or vintage cars.

Sourcing Vehicles – Our many car buyer contacts make it easy for us to find and buy motor vehicles on behalf of overseas clients at a commission or additional fee to be paid to the car buyer.

Other Services – Some of the auto transport services we offer in overseas territories include domestic pickup, vehicle import assistance, tracking of your shipment, customs clearance in the USA and a full vehicle inspection report.

Departure Ports – United States

The location your vehicle will depart from depends on the method of car shipping to the United Kingdom, where your vehicle is located, your budget and which services the nearest port offers. We have multiple departure locations for shipping a vehicle overseas from the USA, including Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Miami, Savannah and more.

Destination Ports – UK

Here are the UK ports entry that we can ship your vehicle to.

Before shipping your vehicle to the UK, the undercarriage must be cleaned and free of foreign soil to prevent the introduction of invasive plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. This can be accomplished through steam cleaning or other thorough cleaning methods.

CFR Classic can assist with finding an appropriate cleaner to help ensure you comply with this requirement. We do not recommend washing the interior of the vehicle as it can cause mold during transport. Vacuuming the interior is usually more than sufficient.

You must register any vehicle you bring into the UK permanently. You can’t register before you do all the following:

• Tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) you imported the vehicle and get confirmation that your NOVA application is processed.
• Pay VAT and duty if HMRC tells you to.
• Get proof of vehicle approval.

You also tax the vehicle when you register it with DVLA – there’s a £55 fee. DVLA might ask to inspect the vehicle. It can take up to 6 weeks for your registration certificate (V5C) to arrive. You need the V5C to get number plates made up. You can find more information on the Vehicle Registration here.

Importing a Car from the US to the UK
Importing a Car from the UK to the US
Car Shipping from the US to the UK
Car Shipping from the UK to the US
Cargo Shipping from the US to the UK
Cargo Shipping from the UK to the US
Moving Household Goods from the US to the UK
Moving Household Goods from the UK to the US

This information was updated in January 2024. All information, time frames, pricing, and regulations are subject to change. Please contact a sales representative for the most current rates and information.

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