Six things make up the price of an import from South Africa. One of them goes to HMRC, and for many people moving here it is zero.
From your address to the port, usually Cape Town. Further inland costs more, which is why we ask for the town.
A space in a shared container, or a 20ft to itself. Marine insurance covers the voyage.
Paid to HMRC, not to us. Worked out on the price plus shipping. Can be zero if you are moving here.
Usually just the speedo and possibly a rear fog light. A South African car needs less than most.
IVA under ten years old, MOT over. Done on our own lane, so there is no government waiting list.
Registration through our dealer account in around 10 working days, and a set of UK plates.
Your quote itemises every one of these for your car, so you can see where each pound goes. There is no separate admin fee hiding at the bottom.
Put in what the car cost and roughly what shipping will be. The answer updates as you type.
Paying in rand? Convert it first with the rand to pounds helper. Not sure about shipping? Leave it at zero to see the tax on the car alone, then add the figure from your quote.
Transfer of Residence relief means no duty and no VAT if you have lived outside the UK for at least 12 months and owned and used the car for at least six. You apply to HMRC before the car arrives, and you keep the car for a year afterwards.
Check if you qualifyA car over 30 years old, in original condition and of historical interest, can qualify for no duty and 5% VAT. Over 40, it also needs no MOT before registration.
Classic cars from South AfricaThe UK's trade agreement with South Africa can take duty to zero on a car built there, if its origin can be proved. It is not always possible for a used car, so we check before you count on it.
Cars built in South AfricaIf the car left the UK within the last three years and has not been altered, Returned Goods Relief may apply. HMRC decides, and we prepare the case.
Bringing a UK car backYes. Duty and VAT are charged on the customs value, which is what you paid for the car plus the cost of shipping and insuring it to the UK. That is why a cheaper sailing also means slightly less tax.
They may. The UK has a trade agreement with South Africa and its neighbours, and a car built in South Africa can qualify for zero duty if its origin can be proved. For a used car that proof is not always available, so we look at each case and tell you whether it is realistic. VAT is still due either way.
When the car clears UK customs. Our in-house customs team makes the entry and tells you the exact figure beforehand, so there are no surprises at the port.
We give you an itemised quote for the work we do, so you can see each part. Duty and VAT depend on the declared value and are set by HMRC, so we show them separately and explain how they are worked out.
Getting the car to the port, export clearance and the paperwork such as police clearance. We include the collection and port side in your quote. Settling any finance, and your own insurance until the car is collected, are yours to sort.
Collection, shipping, customs, testing and registration, itemised in one quote. A person here writes it, and nothing is charged until you say go.
Ringing from South Africa? +44 1332 810442
