Frequently asked questions

It depends on where the car is, its size, whether it shares a container and what it needs when it lands. We do not publish a price list because those details change the answer. The quote form asks for them, and a person here prices the whole trip, itemised from collection to registration.

Normally 10% of the customs value. The customs value is the price of the car plus the cost of shipping and insuring it to the UK.

VAT is 20% of the customs value plus the duty. So the duty is taxed as well, which surprises many people the first time they see the figures.

It can be. A car over 30 years old, in original and unmodified condition and of historical interest, can qualify for no duty and 5% VAT. HMRC sets the conditions, and we will tell you if your car is likely to meet them.

It may. Under the trade agreement between the UK and the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique, a car built in South Africa may qualify for zero duty if its origin can be evidenced. VAT still applies. We will tell you if it is realistic for your car.

Possibly none at all. If you qualify for Transfer of Residence, the result can be no duty and no VAT. The conditions are in the Moving to the UK section of this page.

Maybe not. A UK car exported and brought back within 3 years, without being altered, may be relieved of duty and VAT under Returned Goods Relief. HMRC conditions apply, so tell us the dates when you ask for a quote.

A car built before 1 January 1986 can go in the historic vehicle tax class, which means no vehicle excise duty to pay. The date moves on a year every 1 April.

If you use one through a business, yes. Since April 2025 HMRC treats double cab pick-ups with a payload of around one tonne as cars for company car tax and capital allowances. Speak to your accountant before you buy or ship one for work.

We usually ship from Cape Town in shared containers. Durban, Gqeberha and East London are other options, and if one of those suits your car better we will say so.

Yes. We arrange the inland trucking from your address to the port, so the car does not need to be driven there.

Around 4 to 6 weeks from South Africa to the UK. Arrival is at a UK port such as Southampton or London, and from there the car comes to our site.

Typically 10 to 17 weeks from collection to UK plates. That is an estimate, not a promise: the sea passage is the biggest part, and ship schedules, export paperwork and testing can all move it.

Yes. A dedicated 20ft container is available. It suits people relocating who want to ship belongings with the car.

Not in a shared container, because it travels alongside other people’s cars. If you take a container to yourself, your car can travel with your household goods.

Yes. Marine insurance covers the car for the voyage. Keep your own South African insurance running until the car has been collected from you.

Yes. You get access to our customer portal, which shows where the import is up to.

The original registration certificate in your name is the main one. Your forwarder confirms the exact list for your car before collection, and we will go through it with you.

Not until the finance is settled. While it is on finance the bank holds the registration papers, so settle it and get the papers released to you first.

Normally, yes. A SAPS police clearance for the vehicle is usually needed before it can be exported.

The clearing agent or forwarder lodges the export declaration with SARS. You do not need to deal with SARS yourself for the car.

The car’s status is updated to show it has been deregistered and exported, through the registering authority. Your forwarder will confirm when that happens for your car.

Cancel the tracker subscription, insurance and licence renewal after the car has gone, but keep it insured until it is collected. Take out e-tags or toll tags and personal items, and send every key, including the spares, with the car.

It depends on its age. Under 10 years old, it needs an IVA test. From 10 years old, an MOT. Over 40 years old, no MOT is needed before registration.

Not much. The speedometer has to show miles per hour, and the car needs a rear fog light if it was not fitted at the factory. South Africa drives on the left, so the car is already right-hand drive and the headlights already dip the right way.

On our own site in Castle Donington. We were the first privately owned IVA testing centre for passenger vehicles in the UK, and we run IVA tests every week.

Around 10 working days once the car has passed its test. We register cars through our dealer-level DVLA account.

A V55/5 application, the foreign registration document, proof of identity and address, the NOVA customs notification reference and the IVA or MOT certificate. We handle all of it.

Yes, if it is over 40 years old. It needs no MOT before registration, so we can deliver it to you while the DVLA does its part.

Yes. We can take it from the port and do the rest: customs, any work it needs, testing and DVLA registration.

It is HMRC relief for people moving their main home to the UK. If you qualify, you can bring your car in with no duty and no VAT.

You need to have lived outside the UK for at least 12 months, have owned and used the car for at least 6 months before you move, and be moving your main home to the UK.

Ideally before the car arrives. The application is made online to HMRC on form ToR01, and we can tell you what to have ready.

Not for 12 months if it came in under Transfer of Residence. In that time you must not sell, lend or hire out the car.

My Car Import, a UK vehicle import company based in Castle Donington, near Derby. This site covers our South Africa service.

More than 20,000 so far, and about 2,500 a year.

We are rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1,000+ reviews on Trustpilot.

Nearly all of it. Our own customs agents, container unloading, workshop, IVA test lane, DVLA dealer account and storage are all on one site in Castle Donington.

Call 01332 810442, or +44 1332 810442 from South Africa, or email sales@mycarimport.co.uk. For a price, the quote form is quickest.