Importing a car from the States.

[App K]

Out of curiosity, has anybody recently imported a car (classic) from the States?

Its been a few years since I have, and I know that things have changed a little regarding duty, VAT etc. I believe the duty also depends on the cars rarity, if its complete etc etc..bit of a mine field

[mab01uk]

Try here for good advice and they are also Mini enthusiasts:

PHOENIX - AUTOMOTIVE FORWARDING..
For over a decade we have been very much involved in the International movement of motor vehicles, and automotive parts. This ranges from working to the demands of some of the large motor corporations, through to despatching the odd, and usually very urgent, breakdown part for a Land Rover stuck in the African outback. Yet it's the area that lay between these two extremes that we have seen the most regular growth, year on year. An area of forwarding we know particularly well.... The CLASSIC & COLLECTORS, RACE, RALLY, and ACCESSORY markets. This area of the automotive industry seems to hold no geographical boundaries. It is truly Global, and of course that's our business...
http://www.phoenix-cargo.com/

[Pete]

To get round the duty the car would normally have to be a real rare low production (half a dozen) specimen or previously owned by somebody famous, like a Ferrari Breadvan formerly owned by Enzo himself. I tried the 'rare specimen' trick with 'MEG' to no avail and many an importer has had to pay storage charges at the docks by trying to avoid paying duty. You can also reduce/fiddle the 'apparent' purchase price especially if it's a project.

I would imagine Nev would be the man in the know with imports.

[bill773mini]

Trevor looked in to importing Morris chassis no 110 in 2008 ( the white race car on the thread below).

They agreed to no duty on the grounds it was the 10th Morris built and on the first recorded Morris day of production. That was right up until we found out it was reshelled with a MK2 interior & 1300GT engine then we lost interest.

So as they say above you have to argue each case on its own merrit if they agreed on a 59 they might agree on something else

[App K]

Trevor looked in to importing Morris chassis no 110 in 2008 ( the white race car on the thread below).

They agreed to no duty on the grounds it was the 10th Morris built and on the first recorded Morris day of production. That was right up until we found out it was reshelled with a MK2 interior & 1300GT engine then we lost interest.

So as they say above you have to argue each case on its own merrit if they agreed on a 59 they might agree on something else

Are you saying that this particular car has been re-shelled..? The powers that be may now a little bit reluctant to give an exemption based on a Heritage report and dubious shell and roll cage then. Saying that, It was a bloody early car, well, whats left of it!

[101sinbad]

Must be over 30 years old, in original condition, not for everyday use and no longer in production.

You need to fill in a BTI form and a letter stating everything is original. Minor changes are fine as are period repairs.


I recently brought a 356 Porsche over, used a company called Kingstown Shipping. They did everything except the letter. You need title and bill of sale.


The heritage stuff is more for getting the car registered.

Hope that helps

S

[101sinbad]

Must be over 30 years old, in original condition, not for everyday use and no longer in production.

You need to fill in a BTI form and a letter stating everything is original. Minor changes are fine as are period repairs.


I recently brought a 356 Porsche over, used a company called Kingstown Shipping. They did everything except the letter. You need title and bill of sale.


The heritage stuff is more for getting the car registered.

Hope that helps

S

......and if they accept it you pay 5% duty on the value of the car and shipping cost.

[Nevsmini]

I used Kingstown shipping as well (Mark or Steve) . They are very good. They will collect the car from any location in the states. The closer the car is to the east coast the cheeper. If the car is driving the cheapest way is roll-on roll-off other wise it's a shared container. 5% taxes on shipping costs and bill of sale price .

[App K]

Cheers for that Guys.

Off for a flagon of mulled wine now, let the festive Season commence.!

[minimk1man]

Are you saying that this particular car has been re-shelled..? The powers that be may now a little bit reluctant to give an exemption based on a Heritage report and dubious shell and roll cage then. Saying that, It was a bloody early car, well, whats left of it!

Yes it has.
As Bill says I applied and was granted an exemption on historic grounds. They took a lot of pursuading though. It was all in vain though as it turned out not to be what it was supposed to be and did not interest me anymore. I understand it was eventually sold to someone in the States, who may well be the guy who is selling it now. It has got a nice original Vin plate though. I guess it is the best outcome for the car really being nicely modified. It looks a nice job and the actual age and history is not really relevant now. Is this the actual car you are interested in buying ?

Kingstown Shipping are spot on to deal with.

[App K]

Hmmm...

Not sure. That was the initial plan as its a very very nice car, but at the end of the day Im now thinking that a revamp on of my other cars may be an option.
It could be long, expensive and rocky road for what is essentially a race prepared "Mk1mini 850".

[minimk1man]

You could be right. Once you have costed shipping, import duty, VAT etc. it soon adds up. Anyway good luck whatever you decide to do.

[bill773mini]

I used Kingstown Shipping last year for Japan as the above comments they were spot on, couldn't recommend them enough.

Chassis 110 now wears a Feburary 1960 shell. Nice car though.

[Pete]

Must be over 30 years old, in original condition, not for everyday use and no longer in production.

Wow times have changed then on the exemption side because that covers just about any interesting Mini full stop !

[In the shed]

My 1 Ton 109 landrover is in NY courtesy of Kingsdown. They are THE people to use.