Ship it or sell it?

We import cars for a living, so you might expect us to say ship everything. We would rather you made the right call. A car that costs more to bring over than it is worth here is not a good import, and we will say so.

The decision comes down to a simple comparison, with a few genuine exceptions. The money first, then the things money does not cover.

The comparison that matters

There are two paths. You can sell the car in South Africa and buy something similar when you arrive. Or you can ship it and keep driving the car you already know.

Selling and buying again costs you the gap between the two prices: what a similar car costs in the UK, minus what you get for yours there. Shipping costs you the full import: collection, shipping, any duty and VAT, work, testing and registration.

Whichever is smaller is the cheaper path. The tool below does that sum for you.

Ship it or sell it

Enter your own figures in pounds. Nothing is saved or sent.

What you could sell it for in South Africa

Converted at the rate you are being quoted.

What a similar car costs in the UK

Same age, mileage and spec, from UK listings.

Your import total

Your quote total, or your own estimate.

Are you moving to the UK under Transfer of Residence?

Yes No Not sure

Without the tool: work out the UK price minus your South African sale price. If that is more than your import total, shipping is the cheaper path.

Getting the import figure right

The comparison is only as good as the import figure. It should include everything it takes to get the car on UK plates, not just the shipping.

• Collection in South Africa and the road to the port.
• Shipping, usually in a shared container from Cape Town, and marine insurance for the voyage.
• Import duty and VAT, unless you qualify for relief. Duty is normally 10% of the customs value and VAT is 20% of the customs value plus duty.
• Any work the car needs. For most South African cars that is the speedometer and possibly a rear fog light.
• The IVA or MOT test, and DVLA registration.

Your quote itemises all of that, so the easiest way to get a reliable figure is to ask for one. For the tax on its own, the costs calculator will give you a good idea.

Transfer of Residence changes the maths

If you are moving here, Transfer of Residence can take duty and VAT to zero. On many cars those are the biggest lines in the import, so qualifying often turns a marginal case into a clear one.

The broad conditions: you have lived outside the UK for at least 12 months, owned and used the car for at least 6 months before moving, and are moving your main home here. You apply to HMRC with form ToR01, ideally before the car arrives. You must not sell, lend or hire out the car for 12 months after import, so it has to be a car you plan to keep. Check yours with our ToR checker.

When the numbers are not the whole story

Some cars are worth shipping even when the sum says otherwise. Others look inexpensive to bring over but are not worth it. These are the usual ones.

Cars you cannot buy here

Some cars were built only in South Africa, or carried on being made there long after production stopped elsewhere. If there is no similar car in the UK to compare against, the "buy one here" path does not really exist. Our page on South African icons has examples.

The car that means something

A car that has been in the family for years, or that you restored yourself, has a value no listing captures. That is a perfectly good reason to ship it. Just go in knowing the number.

UK spec and parts

Many models sold in South Africa were sold here too, but not always in the same spec. An engine or trim level that was never offered in the UK can be harder to compare, and sometimes harder to find parts for. Ask us about your model if you are unsure.

Insurance

Imported cars can be insured in the UK, but some insurers ask more questions about cars that were not sold here. Get an insurance quote early, using the chassis number, so it is not a surprise once the car has plates.

If you decide to sell

That is a perfectly good outcome. If the sum says sell and nothing else tips it, sell the car in South Africa and buy here with the money. We would rather you did that than ship a car that does not make sense.

And if you decide to ship, the next step is a quote. Tell us about the car and where it is, and we will price the whole trip, itemised, so the import figure in your sum is a real one.

Questions people ask