Another import question

[210bhp]

If a RHD car, originally registered and used on UK roads, is then exported outside the EU what, if any, are the import duties when re-importing to the UK? It’s a historic but not particularly important/unique vehicle.

Thanks for any information/opinions.

Regards
Mike

[MikeB]

None, I bought a Ex UK BMW 2002tii back in from Eire, no tax, just get it MOT'd (not sure if that still applies but it might for an returning import) and pay the Road Fund tax

[210bhp]

oops, double post

[210bhp]

Thanks Mike. I assumed that would be the case but just wanted to make sure I’d not missed anything, although this is a bit further away than Eire.

Regards
Mike

[Nine One One]

It does all depend on whether the original ‘customer’ specified a right hand drive car, and then exported it new, and did not pay any duties because he was doing so. A lot of service personnel did this when stationed abroad. It also caused some confusion when they brought it back some years later, as they were given a current registration, for the year they came back with it.

I think back then, you had to keep it for 2 or 3 years before you were allowed to sell it, as the depreciation then outweighed any saving.

Just make sure it was not duty free when originally purchased.

I’m sure HMIC would know!

[MikeB]

Mike

Sorry ignore my post, as I missed the OUTSIDE the EU part, Eire is ofcourse well inside the EU as we are all currently aware.

[inaglasshouse]

If a RHD car, originally registered and used on UK roads, is then exported outside the EU what, if any, are the import duties when re-importing to the UK? It’s a historic but not particularly important/unique vehicle.

Thanks for any information/opinions.

Regards
Mike

Hi Mike
In the case of my "Australian" car - UK originally, in Australia for 40-odd years, then re-imported by me: I was told by HMRC that the original UK supply was irrelevant. There are specific arrangements for temporary export and re-import, and my car did not fall under those cases.
So I paid the duty and VAT as normal. As you know, the rates are really low for historic cars, and my car was pre-resto (low value) when in came in, so no biggie.
Hope all is well with you, best wishes, Richard.

[210bhp]

Thanks Richard. So, in fact, it’s just like any other import even though it still displays its UK number plates?
(Possibly never registered abroad?)

Regards
Mike

[inaglasshouse]

Mike
Put it this way - in my case I knew the UK reg and had evidence that it was first sold in the UK (I have the documentation from AFN). I didn't know the export date but based on other evidence it seemed likely to be somewhere in the late 70s / early 80s. HMRC said I should just pay the duty.
Temporary export / re-import schemes exist, so it follows that there must be a time period which is short enough to count as temporary. In my case 40+ years is (unsurprisingly) too long. I imagine your case might be different if the car has been abroad for a shorter time, or you have the export paperwork.
Cheers, Richard.

[cobb911]

Mike, I agree, the fact it was never registered abroad matters not. I had the same issue re-importing from NZ. It had been exported there still with UK number platers but never went on the road reportedly due to needing to fix rust to pass an inspection which never happened.

Regards
Graeme