Importing classics to the UK - How much of a headache?

[Adambt]

I'm sure this topic has been covered before, so apologies!
I'm currently an expat in South Africa, and will be heading back to blighty fairly soon. Right now the Rand is crazy low, making classic cars here pretty cheap.

I've never imported/exported before, but it seems like there could be profit and/or a cheap cool car to be had at the moment.

For example this Mk2 escort 1600 sport, not too far from me, is at R29,000 (about £1600 at today's exchange rate).
www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/kraaifontein/ford-escort-1600-sport-+-good+looker-for-sale/1001091721780910165271909

In the UK I'm sure this car would be worth a lot more than that!

Has anybody imported a classic before? What kind of costs are involved and is it a major headache with the DVLA etc?

[guz]

didn't a couple of guys from Practical Classics import Mercs
from SA a few years ago ?

[philsford]

I have never imported 1 so I am no help at all but send me as many of those mk2 escorts as you can find and we will have a Ferrari each in no time at all.

[matbrojoe]

Jan 30, 2014 18:36:05 GMT Adambt said:

I'm sure this topic has been covered before, so apologies!
I'm currently an expat in South Africa, and will be heading back to blighty fairly soon. Right now the Rand is crazy low, making classic cars here pretty cheap.

I've never imported/exported before, but it seems like there could be profit and/or a cheap cool car to be had at the moment.

For example this Mk2 escort 1600 sport, not too far from me, is at R29,000 (about £1600 at today's exchange rate).
www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/kraaifontein/ford-escort-1600-sport-+-good+looker-for-sale/1001091721780910165271909

In the UK I'm sure this car would be worth a lot more than that!

Has anybody imported a classic before? What kind of costs are involved and is it a major headache with the DVLA etc?

Your best bet is to talk to a shipping agent to get some idea of costs to ship the vehicle to the UK, i think you would need an SVA check before you registered it here, and obviously an MOT. There may also be some import duty to pay. This link has some useful pointers on where to start:

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=4318

I'm no expert but i'd be surprised if it cost more than £2K to get it back here, if that's the case then the car you linked to would stand you at £3500, which would still be very cheap for what it is. If you do get some quotes from shipping agents do come back and tell us what you've made out as i'd be very interested to know what the costs are.

[vaughant]

SVA? For a vehicle that was sold here in millions?
Doubtful at best, completely false at worst.
Not imported from SA but from Japan you just need your import paperwork, a £50 or so fee and the DVLA supply you with an age related plate as the car is over 10 yrs old hence why I waited 3 months to register my Pajero years back.
Also that had no paperwork, just got a letter from Mitsi to confirm the year of registration, cost £100.

[PandaSelecta]

Yes please to this - £487 for a Fiat 124 saloon



www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/kraaifontein/1969-fiat-other-sedan/1001089235520910012958909

[HammerDown]

Just a FWIW.

I do a lot of wheeling and dealing on the side, and would advise anyone contemplating buying from here to be REAL careful. Many cars from the coast rust just as bad as in the UK, with the difference that in most cases people do not have the skills and access to replacement panels that you guys have. This means bodged bodywork and "creative" repairs that will make you shudder. The older the car gets the bigger the chance someone has had the opportunity to mess with it.

That said , there are deals to be had, and I've looked into doing exactly this, but with more run of the mill vehicles that can be had in guaranteed "no rust" condition.

Just me dos pesos.....

To get back on topic though, Adambt, also make sure to check on how long they require a vehicle to be registered in your name. There are rules that allows you to import/export cars without having to pay duties & taxes if it was registered to you for a certain time.

[matbrojoe]

Jan 31, 2014 0:59:53 GMT vaughant said:

SVA? For a vehicle that was sold here in millions?
Doubtful at best, completely false at worst.
Not imported from SA but from Japan you just need your import paperwork, a £50 or so fee and the DVLA supply you with an age related plate as the car is over 10 yrs old hence why I waited 3 months to register my Pajero years back.
Also that had no paperwork, just got a letter from Mitsi to confirm the year of registration, cost £100.

I did say that it *may* need one. I'm no expert, so perhaps someone with direct experience could give us a definitive answer, however, this is what the DVLA have to say on the matter:


"As part of the registration process DVA must be sure that an imported used vehicle that’s less than 10 years old meets European type approval standards, UK construction and use, and road vehicle lighting legislation.



Cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles, first registered in another European member state, must have a certificate of conformity and an additional certificate issued by VCA Vehicle Certification Agency under the Mutual Recognition scheme.



Cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles first registered in a country outside of the European Union must pass the IVA or MSVA tests as appropriate."

[Llewelyn_]

How does the import duty work? I am looking at importing a car from America in the summer but still don't completely understand how the VAT and Import Duty taxation works.

Do classic/vehicles of historic importance still get tax breaks?

Any advice appreciated!

[randywanger_]

I've looked at a few cars in South Africa recently, let me know what shipping quotes you get, might be cheaper for a container and fit a couple of cars in it ;-)