import duty is it different for private users?...

[coolaking]

Is it true that if your importing a car from the states privately you pay the value of the car + shipping + £50 import duty (not 10%?) + 17.5% vat of total

I'm getting confused by conflicting messages

I have been offered a 1 owner original 2.4s and need to work out if its economical to import

[Bootsy]

Getting away with the 10% is getting very hard to the point of impossible.

I've still heard a few stories of people using the car was built in Europe and exported so tax had been paid then etc. but they've clamped down on it.

So be prepared for 17.5% and 10% import duty - unless someone tells me otherwise.

So....

£1k approx for shipping (to include all the little bits at the port)

+ 10% of cost of car + shipping (import tax)

+ 17.5% cost of car + shipping + the 10%

[1972_911t]

It all comes down to the age of the car and where the car originates, if you buy a brand new ford mustang you will pay full VAT and Import duty on it on the full value and the shipping. When I made an enquired with customs a few weeks ago about duty charged on some fuchs wheels I imported I was told that even parts/full cars of european oragin imported from outside the EU are still subject to full import duty.

However when I was looking to import a car back in 2004 I was told by the shippers UK agent I would pay the VAT and £50 import duty he said something like the £50 is a token because its likely that the car will have some bits on it that are not original and are not of european origin. When I said this to the customs people I was told that this is not the case and the fact that I was only charged £50 import duty is because the laws are different for older/classic cars. So from what I could make out everyone seems to have there own Idea about the £50 thing I would imagine that what the customs people said is probably most accurate. What ever the reason when I imported my 72t in 2004 £50 is all I was charged for import duty.

Steve

Steve

[1972_911t]

Find out who the shipping firms UK agent is and ask them as they will be the ones who deal with the paper work this side so they will be most upto date with the current rules.

My car was shipped with CFR line

http://www.cfrline.com/

Steve

[Lightweight_911]

As a private importer you should only pay the token £50 fee as mentioned above by Steve although many shippers will try to charge you 10%.

Dealers, however, are charged 10%.

Pick a shipping agent that regularly brings cars in from the States (like Kingstown Shipping) & you're unlikely to have any problems.

[1972_911t]

Pick a shipping agent that regularly brings cars in from the States (like Kingstown Shipping) & you're unlikely to have any problems.

Kingstown Shipping is the name I was trying to remember there CFR's UK agent decent guy's, one thing to bear in mind though when I got my original quote for the shipping from CFR they neglected to tell me there was a £300 charge this side for handling etc. Think I payed $750 plus the £300 and taxes for container shipping from LA.

Steve

[coolaking]

I actually used kingstown about 6 years ago when I imported my 912 but back then you could get away with the 5% vat - as the car was classed as rare - unfortunately not the case now

so to clarify the cost is now £50 + vat @ 17.5%

just to help me out further what would you think is a top line economic figure for a one owner, matching numbers 73 2.4s lhd (obviously) in aubergine bought in the US (thought to be rust free)

looking for an idea of a dollar price before taxes so I know that the price is ok

[Bootsy]

I do know that Kingstown are struggling to get away with the 10% on VW Split Buses (for private importers) - however over 2,500 came into the country last year.

[912uk]

2500

I didn't get the 5% on my 69 912 but did on my 912E as a rare car once I reclaimed it back from them.. tricky that was.. but I got a refund.

I have never paid ANY duty on any car just checked my paper work. Just the VAT. 5% on the 54 17.5 on the 69 and 17.5 on the 65 5% on the 912E

as a private importer I can't see the problem as trade can claim the VAT we can't.

[Mike Smith]

Kinsdown Shiping in Hull are good people

For a Private Importer - Duty = a £50 Flat Fee + 17.5% VAT

For Trade --------------- Duty = 10% + 17.5% VAT (which is recoverable)


Trade Duty on Peekup Trucks is 25%

Mike at PR

[johndglynn]

I was told that even parts/full cars of european oragin imported from outside the EU are still subject to full import duty.

I am buying a car from Switzerland, and though CH is outside the EU, it is part of EFTA so there is no duty to pay, just VAT at Rip-off Britain rates. I believe the fact that the car is of European origin (i.e. made in Germany) helps in respect of import duty.

If you can find someone to help bring an older car in through France (friends living there etc) then you will pay just 5.5% VAT. Germany, Holland and Belgium are at 6% VAT, assuming it is old enough to qualify for the lower rate. A '73 would be.

[Scott]

I imported my car last year arriving at Thames Port in Kent, through CFR Line and also handled by Kingstown Shipping in Hull. i paid the VAT and just a flat £50.
I didn't really no if I was going to be stung for 10%, but it wasn't an issue in the end as I was a private importer.

Result.