Shipping Car to the UK - VAT and duty?

Hi:

Just a quick fact-finding outreach. We're moving from the US to the UK this summer. We're selling our house, and shipping our belongings, in either a 20 ft or 40 ft container.

If we go large, there would be room for my car, which is a 2010 Mini Cooper. We would like to take it, as the kids love the car, but I am just trying to tally up what it would all cost in the end, to see if it's worth it.

My understanding is that if it is part of a Transfer of Residence then no VAT or vehicle tax would be collected. My wife/partner is the returning British citizen. I am American. The car is in my name. Would the 'tax free' status still apply to the car if it is all in the same shipment?

I also read somewhere that the import duty is 10%. Does anyone know how that's calculated? I am guessing that is a separate expense.

many thanks for any info or insights!

Harry

Hi:

Just a quick fact-finding outreach. We're moving from the US to the UK this summer. We're selling our house, and shipping our belongings, in either a 20 ft or 40 ft container.

If we go large, there would be room for my car, which is a 2010 Mini Cooper. We would like to take it, as the kids love the car, but I am just trying to tally up what it would all cost in the end, to see if it's worth it.

My understanding is that if it is part of a Transfer of Residence then no VAT or vehicle tax would be collected. My wife/partner is the returning British citizen. I am American. The car is in my name. Would the 'tax free' status still apply to the car if it is all in the same shipment?

I also read somewhere that the import duty is 10%. Does anyone know how that's calculated? I am guessing that is a separate expense.

many thanks for any info or insights!

Harry

Hi Harry, this is not my area but I found this link for you, if it's any help?

https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

I have read countless times on the forum however that unless your car is rare or collectable, it's really not worth it.

You can window shop for a replacement here if you decide not to bring it! They are really quite cheap if you're not buying new.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?search-target=usedcars&radius=&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&make=MINI&model=&price-search-type=total-price&price-from=&price-to=&year-from=2010&maximum-mileage=&fuel-consumption=&zero-to-60=&quantity-of-doors=&minimum-seats=&annual-tax-cars=&colour=&keywords=&fuel-type=&maximum-badge-engine-size=&transmission=&co2-emissions-cars=&maximum-seats=&insuranceGroup=&seller-type=&postcode=eh88dl

It costs £3-£4K to make road legal in the UK.  And it willhave zero resale value bing left hand drive.

Minis are SUPER popular here.  I’d buy one ready to go.  And as cars drop in value super quick, you’ll likely get more money in the USA than it’ll cost to replace it.

I would totally bring a USA mattress and box spring (and frame) if you know it’ll fit in your house here!

Another good site for cars:  https://www.cargiant.co.uk/search/mini/all

Thanks Larabee and KFDancer....

All good points to consider!

My kids are really attached to the car, and I of course must confess that I have a little fantasy of zipping around the English countryside in my trusty motor!

But as you point out, it may be silly to spend money to ship it, import it, and then get it reconfigured.

I'll be sad to sell it - oh well!!!

Thanks
H

Use a specialist car shipper. A lot less money and faster than your other goods.
we are taking our classic Triumph that's worth twice as much in the UK as over here.