Car Import Duty Calculator

Importing a vehicle into the UK from outside Great Britain involves customs duty, VAT and potential additional charges. The customs duty rate for passenger cars from most countries is 6.5% of the vehicle's value (including shipping and insurance costs). EU-origin vehicles may qualify for zero duty under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement if rules of origin requirements are met.

VAT at 20% is charged on the combined value of the vehicle plus the customs duty. You must also pay for vehicle type approval (IVA test at around £400-£600) unless the car already holds EU type approval, in which case Mutual Recognition may apply. DVLA registration (first registration fee) costs £55 and number plates are extra.

Additional costs include shipping (£500-£2,000 depending on origin), UK port handling charges, modifications to meet UK standards (such as headlight beam conversion and speedometer to mph), and the first MOT if the vehicle is over 3 years old. This calculator estimates the total landed cost of importing a vehicle.

UK car import duty 2026. EU cars: 0% import duty if accompanied by proof of origin (UK-EU TCA). 10% duty on EU cars without origin proof. Non-EU cars: 10% import duty PLUS 20% VAT on (car price + duty + shipping). New cars from outside UK: pay full duty + VAT. Used cars: VAT only if professionally imported (private import of used car: 50%+ depreciation rule applies in some cases).

Step-by-step import process. 1. Check car eligibility (NOVA — Notification of Vehicle Arrivals via gov.uk within 14 days). 2. Apply IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) if non-UK type-approved: £478. 3. Pay duty and VAT via C88 customs declaration. 4. Register with DVLA (£55 + £25 number plates). 5. Get MOT if 3+ years old. 6. UK insurance. Total time: typically 4-12 weeks.

Common car import costs UK 2026. Shipping from US: £800-£2,000 typical RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off); £1,800-£3,500 container. Japan: £1,500-£3,500. EU: £200-£800 ferry + driver delivery. Import duty 10% (non-EU): £3,000 on £30k car. VAT 20% on (£30k + £3k duty + £1,500 shipping): £6,900. NOVA + IVA + DVLA: £550-£1,000. Total cost on a £30k car: typically £5,500-£12,000+ in fees/taxes/shipping.

Personal import allowance. Bringing your car when moving to UK: Transfer of Residence (TOR) relief available — 0% duty + 0% VAT if you've owned the car 6+ months and lived abroad 12+ months. Apply within 12 months of arrival. ToR application via gov.uk. Save £3-£10k typical on personal vehicle import. Strict conditions — sale within 12 months of import voids relief.

Cars not allowed in UK. US-spec vehicles (left-hand drive plus US-only safety features): need extensive modifications. Cars under 25 years from non-EU markets: typically refused IVA. Pre-1960 classics: exempt from many regulations (no MOT, no VAT, free road tax). Modified vehicles: need ITV (Individual Type Approval) + IVA + might be refused. Recent emissions-restricted vehicles in ULEZ/Clean Air Zones: significant ongoing costs.