For an instant estimate of the costs involved in doing this, please use our calculator below:

Please note the guidelines are always subject to change, a great resource for information can be found here: Ukrainian Refugee Help

We are happy to assist with any questions you may have on the process from import tax / C110 / ToR forms through IVA / MOT testing and DVLA registration.

For more information please email: info@shipmycar.co.uk

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Export Delays

Ports around the world are struggling with congestion meaning it is taking a lot longer to get containers onto vessels.

The congestion is due to a number of issues but mainly the imbalance of containers across the world. Usually container shipping & logistics is an extremely well oiled machine, when things stop however, it quickly goes south.

In the last year obviously Covid has created port slowdowns, but also the number of vessels has decreased for Covid precautions and staff shortages.

Trade issues with China between the EU / US and Northern Africa have left containers inn places where they wouldn’t usually build up.

We even had the Ever Given getting stuck in the Suez canal to add to the shipping industry woes

Timescales for clearing customs and loading onto a vessel out of the USA for example have increased from around 2 weeks to around 4-8 weeks in some cases.

Port Congestion

Congestion in the UK has been a problem since Brexit but even now in July 2021 it is still a huge issue with many vessels simply skipping the UK, unloading in Europe and then bringing containers back to our shores on smaller feeder vessels (a process called transshipment)

The USA has seen huge port congestion at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in particular with around 40 cargo vessels at any one time anchored off the cost waiting to unload.

Why?

Well a lot of it has to do with demand. People have been buying a lot of stuff and having it imported. Plus, they have not been exporting much. The UK is importing a lot of goods, yet has reduced many exports.

The USA has an imbalance of 4:1 on imports to exports, the highest levels ever recorded. Meaning ports are under the strain to get containners unloaded.

Getting containers unloaded has been difficult with many workers off due to Covid, or who have changed jobs due to the pandemic.

Even haulage has suffered with many container lorry drivers switching to other driving industries with better hours and pay e.g. Amazon

Car Shipping

So how does this affect the car shipping process?

Well it does have an impact, and we try to keep anyone looking at shipping a car as informed estimate on leadtimes as is possible at the time of making a booking.

In general we are looking at a few extra weeks overall for the shipping. Not ideal, but your car will arrive as close to the ETA as we can give.

Our live container tracking system in our client portal works even if a shipment is transhipped so you can keep track of where it has been and where it is next to visit.

DVLA Delays

The DVSA had their moments with IVA testing suspended but we can appreciate they didn’t have much choice when Covid showed up.

The DVLA almost got back to normal, then they decided they were not happy with the working conditions at Swansea and started industrial action that has been going on for weeks now.

They are now up to around six weeks to register a car, we can ship a car from Australia in less time. All the while the people waiting for their registrations are left without a vehicle.

We chase as much as we can on timings of each application.

The post Car Shipping Delays appeared first on Car Shipping and UK Import Specialists.

So how will this affect car shipping and UK car imports?

Car Import Duty / VAT

A trade agreement was reached meaning you will not have to pay any duty on importing a car into the UK. You will however have to pay VAT on the value of the car you are bringing here.

For example, you are buying a £10,000 Toyota from Germany, you will be liable for £2,000 worth of VAT @ 20%

However, if the vehicle is over thirty years of age, say a nice classic Porsche from Germany. Then there is a reduced rate of VAT at just 5%

It gets even better if you are relocating to the UK from Europe. If you can prove you lived outside the UK at least 12 months and owned the car at least 6 months, then it will be subject to zero VAT and zero duty. This is the HMRC Transfer of Residence scheme

Customs Clearance

Following Brexit customs clearance procedures have changed.

First, you need to ensure the vehicle has been correctly exported from the European country. You will ned the paperwork to prove this on import to the UK.

A proper customs entry must then be carried out (C384 / ToR) and submitted via a customs agent to HMRC

You will then receive confirmation all is good in the way of a NOVA letter, which can be used to register the car with the DVLA.

Car Imports by a Company

From 1st January 2021 (after the transition period), if you are importing the vehicle to the UK as a VAT registered company, you will need to have an EORI number that starts with GB

Vehicle Type Approval

During the Transition Period the EU type approval rules will still apply. In the UK up until 1 January 2021 the existing VCA rules will remain. Therefore, the VCA will continue to act as an EU Technical Service and EU Type Approval Authority. This means that the VCA can continue to issue EU approvals (‘e11’) and they will continue to be accepted in the EU.

UK and EU technical standards will be aligned immediately after 31 December 2020

IVA / MSVA Testing

Following the transition period it is likely type-approvals issued in the UK will no longer be valid for sales or registrations on the EU market.

We would imagine current IVA rules to be continued into 2021

Exchange Rates

A strong GBP will help all stages of purchasing and importing a car into the UK.

From the initial purchase of the vehicle to shipping costs which are billed in USD, the strength of UK currency will make an impact to your car shipping process.

The post Brexit and UK Car Import appeared first on Car Shipping and UK Import Specialists.

The DVLA have been extremely slow recently at processing import applications for registration (V55/5 and V55/4) – the reasons for this are two-fold in our experience, firstly they have stopped local offices (ours being Northampton) from processing applications and instead all applications must be sent directly to Swansea.

Previously Northampton completed this within 2-5 days, we are told now to expect 2-6 WEEKS, which clearly is unacceptable and causing delays for our clients – we ship and test many cars from destinations across the world in half that time and then are help up because of this paperwork

We have also had some applications returned for bizarre reasons e.g. not including an IVA certificate as proof of age for a 1973 vehicle – since when has any car over ten years old required an IVA test?!

Unfortunately the DVLA also timed the above with the implementation of HMRC’s new NOVA system which in principle is excellent as it speeds up the customs receipt process as it is all computerised, the DVLA do not need to see customs proof of payment / entry – this is all very well however many cars the DVLA claim not to be able to be located on the NOVA system, even when the NOVA receipt of completed entry is provided.

The other issue is that many insurance companies only give 5-10 days cover on a VIN number prior to registration – the DVLA then reject the application and sent it back two weeks later, because the insurance has expired.

We at ShipMyCar are doing all we can for clients, however battling with the DVLA is not an easy process. All applications we submit are fully checked by our experienced staff here prior to being sent

The post DVLA Delays appeared first on Car Shipping and UK Import Specialists.

It also means, when applying for future tax discs, you will not need to show a valid MOT certificate

The car must still be in a roadworthy condition when used on a public road and we assume usual insurance criteria will apply for example if you had a crash in a pre-1960 vehicle with worn tyres, it should be your responsibility to ensure the car was in good condition and so if deemed un-roadworthy we would assume you would not be insured.

Shipping a pre-1960 car and MOT

If shipping a car to the UK through ShipMyCar, you will notice our instant car shipping calculator still adds an MOT test – this is going to be our company policy to put every car we ship into the UK to be put through a voluntary MOT test on import to the UK, this is to ensure the vehicle is safe for you to drive away.

The voluntary MOT will be carried out on the car’s VIN number as the car will not be registered yet as per usual with new imports and so will not be stored in the MOT system, and we will be able to provide a quote for any MOT work to get the car in roadworthy condition.

Cars being shipping for example from the USA may not have had a safety check carried out for many years and so we feel it right for your safety to ensure we have at least checked it has been deemed safe by a qualified MOT test station, or any defects are made clear to
you prior to collection.

Classic Car Shipping

We are specialists at classic car shipping – for further information or to try our unique classic car shipping quote calculator, please visit our classic car shipping website

The post MOT for pre-1960 classic cars appeared first on Car Shipping and UK Import Specialists.

The limited edition paint scheme will also come with a few extras, like the dual side stripes and five-spoke cast aluminum wheels on the R/T as well as the Dark Slate Nappa leather seats with Green with Envy stitching on both models

If you are looking at shipping a Dodge Challenger back to the UK and would like to discuss your car shipping, IVA and DVLA registration requirements please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your car shipping requirements | Tel: 00 44 1908 887 917

The post 2011 Dodge Challenger appeared first on Car Shipping and UK Import Specialists.

]]> https://www.shipmycar.co.uk/what-is-involved-in-importing-a-car-into-the-uk/ Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:17:33 +0000 http://173.0.130.56/?p=192 There are many stages in importing a vehicle into the UK, which vary depending on the age, value and manufacturing origin of the vehicle in question. Our full import service includes: Shipping Collection of your vehicle from country of export and delivery to nearest port (currently US only), transportation of vehicle to UK by sea…

The post How to import into UK? appeared first on Car Shipping and UK Import Specialists.

]]> There are many stages in importing a vehicle into the UK, which vary depending on the age, value and manufacturing origin of the vehicle in question. Our full import service includes:

Shipping

Collection of your vehicle from country of export and delivery to nearest port (currently US only), transportation of vehicle to UK by sea or air, both sea and air transport is fully insured, air freight is more expensive but your vehicle can be in the UK within 48 hours, containerised shipping ensures your car is secure and not open to the elements. Foreign port loading fees and all administration fees are included

UK Services

Unloading of vehicle in the UK from ship, transportation of container to customs bonded warehouse, full inspection and administration carried out

UK Customs

Handling of all HM Customs and Excise administration and payments, fastest customs clearance possible. We ensure European cars do not pay just £50 duty and zero import duty for classic vehicles – for an estimate of import duty and VAT please use our instant quote system.

Transportation

It is illegal to drive an un-registered vehicle on UK roads, we therefore collect your newly imported vehicle on our specialist transporters. We complete all collection paperwork and condition reports in compliance with UK insurance regulations

IVA Modifications and Test

The IVA test is an extremely thorough and complex test for all makes/models of vehicles and we do not recommend carrying out modifications / testing unless you are an experienced IVA engineer.

All IVA forms filled in and dealt with promptly. All IVA modifications are carried out to the highest of standards to ensure that there is no damage to your vehicle – poor IVA modifications can cause severe vehicle damage, especially with the electronics.

Thanks to advances in LED technology we can now offer ‘Invisible IVA’ modifications on most vehicles requiring IVA testing.

Our IVA engineers are specially trained and have years of experience in all makes and models of imported vehicles

IVA modifications carried out to your specification, for example we can fit euro-style rear light clusters to maintain the original look of the vehicle

Vehicle prepared fully for IVA test, your vehicle is then taken to IVA centre and certificate received

If your vehicle is older than three years old an MOT test is also carried out

UK DVLA Registration

All administration included – registration number assigned, plates printed and fixed to vehicle – 12 months road tax included. Personalised number plates available on request

Full valet, storage and delivery

Your vehicle is then taken to our premises to receive a complimentary full valet and to carry out any additional services that you may require. You then have the choice of fully insured storage at our premises or a delivery service to you.

Alarm and Tracker Installations

In order to help your insurance premium and to provide you with extra piece of mind we provide in-house installation of vehicle trackers and Thatcham approved alarms.

The post How to import into UK? appeared first on Car Shipping and UK Import Specialists.

]]> https://www.shipmycar.co.uk/importing-a-2005-2009-mustang-to-the-uk/ Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:00:52 +0000 http://blog.shipmycar.co.uk/?p=12 A complete guide to importing a 2005-2009 Ford Mustang to the UK including IVA modification and DVLA registration

The post Importing a 2005-2009 Mustang to the UK appeared first on Car Shipping and UK Import Specialists.

]]> Importing a Mustang to the UK yourself can be a very time consuming and stressful process that
could ultimately damage your vehicle through incorrect wiring.

We offer a complete package from collection in the USA through to testing and registration here in
the UK. This short guide explains the entire procedure.

US Transportation
We will collect your vehicle from the US address on a specialised vehicle transporter and take it over
to the nearest port for you
US Customs
We carry out all the associated paperwork, inspection and vehicle history checks required by US
customs
US Loading
Your vehicle is safely stored in our warehouse prior to loading into a container, strapping and
chocking and then loading of the container onto a vessel
Marine Insurance
Included in your quote is full marine insurance which covers your vehicle up to the full market value
UK Customs and Unloading
We unload your vehicle from the vessel and store in our customs bonded warehouse until we can
collect on your behalf – your vehicle is then moved in house using our specialist car transporter.
IVA Testing
As the Mustang you are looking at is under 10 years old, it will require what is called an IVA test. This
is basically a very thorough test which checks everything on the Mustang complies with UK road
laws, items on the Mustang which require changing are:

• Rear brake lights separated out from indicators
• Indicators changed from red to amber flashing signal
• Addition of front side lights
• Disable US running lights correctly using appropriate resistance
• HID Headlight units replaced with Halogen for testing requirements
• Addition of rear fog light and interior switch clearly displaying rear fog light symbol

If you have spent time researching the IVA modifications you will understand just how difficult and
dangerous the wiring can be. Modern cars work on a Canbus system which basically means when
you flick a switch, a signal is first sent to a computer (ECU) which determines what you want it to do,
and takes the appropriate action. Adding extra lights and incorrect resistances can put extra strain
on the ECU and ultimately lead to complete failure.

Our 2005-2009 modifications include EU light clusters to avoid the horrible addition of rear fog light
and reversing light on the bottom of the rear bumper

Our side repeaters are nice looking smoked units and the front side lights are LED to reduce the need
to ever change them and are fully insulated to avoid the light units clouding up

MOT Testing
If your vehicle is over three years old it will also require an MOT test – this ensures the
roadworthiness of the vehicle, e.g. does it have worn tyres / worn suspension parts?
DVLA Registration
We complete your paperwork and take it straight to the DVLA to provide you with a UK logbook and
registration number, we then print up your plates and fix them to you new Mustang

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