Importing a car into the UK
The short answer
Importing a car into the UK involves three main stages. First, you tell UK customs the vehicle has arrived and settle any tax due. Second, you show the car meets UK road standards, which is known as vehicle approval. Third, you register and license it with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) so it can get UK number plates. Insurance and, where required, a roadworthiness test complete the process before regular road use.
The details depend on several factors: where the car comes from, how old it is, whether it is new or used, and whether you are moving to the UK and bringing your own vehicle or importing one to sell or keep. These factors decide which tax applies, whether relief is available, and which approval route the car must follow.
Stage 1: Customs notification and tax
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) must be notified when a vehicle is brought into the UK. This is usually done online through the Notification of Vehicle Arrivals (NOVA) system. Some importers handle this themselves. Others use the shipping agent or customs broker who handles the car's arrival. The DVLA generally needs to see that the NOVA step is complete before it will register the vehicle.
For cars coming from outside the UK, import duty and VAT may be payable. The amount depends on the vehicle's value, its origin, and the applicable rules at the time of import. Relief from these charges may be available in certain cases. A common example is someone moving their permanent residence to the UK who has owned and used the car abroad, subject to conditions set by HMRC. This guide does not give current rates, thresholds or qualifying conditions, so check HMRC's latest guidance or ask a customs broker before you budget.
Stage 2: Vehicle approval
Vehicle approval is the process of showing that a car meets UK construction and safety standards. Which route applies depends on the vehicle's age, its specification and the market it was built for. The main routes are:
Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA): an inspection of a single vehicle, commonly used for cars not built to UK or European specifications. Mutual recognition or existing type approval: a route that may suit vehicles already built to standards the UK accepts. Age-related exemptions: older vehicles may be exempt from formal approval but still need to be roadworthy and may need an MOT, the UK's periodic roadworthiness test.
Cars built for the US market often need changes to meet UK requirements, typically to lighting. Common examples are headlamp beam pattern and rear indicator colour, which can differ between US and UK specifications. The exact changes depend on the model, its model year and how it was equipped. US-market speedometers already read in miles per hour, which UK roads use, but other instruments and markings may still need checking during approval.
Stage 3: DVLA registration and licensing
Once customs and approval are complete, you apply to the DVLA to register the car. For an imported vehicle this is usually done with the V55/5 application form. You will typically need supporting evidence such as:
Proof of ownership and the vehicle's original foreign registration documents; Evidence that HMRC has been notified and any tax has been dealt with; The relevant approval certificate, or evidence of exemption; An MOT certificate, if the vehicle's age means one is required; Proof of identity and a UK address; Valid UK insurance
After registration, the car receives a UK registration number. You then fit compliant number plates and pay vehicle tax before driving it on public roads. Registration fees and vehicle tax amounts are not covered here and should be checked at the time of application.
What changes the process for you
Factor | Why it matters; Country of origin | Affects which customs charges apply and which approval route the car can use; Vehicle age | Can determine whether formal approval is needed and whether an MOT is required; New or used | New vehicles may face different tax treatment from used ones; Personal relocation or purchase | Moving your residence with a car you already own may qualify for tax relief, subject to conditions; Market specification | Cars built for non-UK markets, such as the US, often need modifications to pass approval
Gaps in this guide
This guide gives a general outline only. It does not include current duty or VAT rates, approval fees, registration costs, processing times, age cut-offs or specific relief conditions. These details change and depend on your circumstances. Confirm them with HMRC, the DVLA and the vehicle approval authority, or with an experienced import agent, before you ship a car or commit to any costs.
