Shipping a vehicle from US to UK

I would like to ship my vehicle from the US when we move in May. I have a few questions and would like to solicit general advice related to shipping a vehicle. For reference, our vehicle is a 2000 VW Passat.

1 - What are the most used ports of call for shipping vehicles? (Please say one is right outside Houston... )

2 - What should I expect to pay in registration/tariffs/taxes/import/duties on my vehicle once I pick it up in the UK?

3 - Would it be easier to sell our car here in the states and purchase/lease something over there? The thing I worry about going this route is we won't have the requisite credit established to get a car.

4 - How soon after we arrive do I need to obtain a "local" UK drivers license?

5 - What should I budget as a cost for shipping the vehicle? (ballpark is fine...i was thinking 2000 US...too much/too little)

Hi,

Points 1 & 5 -- Better answered by those who have done this recently.

2 - What should I expect to pay in registration/tariffs/taxes/import/duties on my vehicle once I pick it up in the UK?

It should be free of import duty if you've owned it more than 6 months and are bringing it over to establish residency. 

You'll still have to pay the registration fees, which includes your first year's "road tax" (equivalent of license tags).  As it's a 2000 model, the latter will depend upon the engine size/quoted emissions.

Unfortunately, as well as having to undergo the regular annual vehicle inspection (the so-called MoT), vehicles less than 10 years old being imported now also have to undergo a "Single Vehicle Approval" test unless the model already has a European type approval.   I've never had to go through this myself (I much prefer older cars), but I understand from those who have that it can be quite complex and bureaucratic.

Start here for some information:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/ImportingAndExportingAVehicle/DG_4022583

3 - Would it be easier to sell our car here in the states and purchase/lease something over there?

Unless the vehicle is something special and thus worth the trouble and expense, quite possibly. 

4 - How soon after we arrive do I need to obtain a "local" UK drivers license?

Within 12 months of establishing residency.  Unfortunately, for those with a U.S. license it also means having to sit through all of the tests required of a novice driver here -- Written rules test, a hazard-perception test, and a practical drive.   Have a look in the Transport & Travel section for several threads discussing this.

My husband has been very recently looking into just this topic, as he is already in the UK (wife and kids still in USA).  He has lots of information I know he will happily share with you about moving vehicles to the UK.  His handle is captbunzo (Paul Thompson).

One important thing to find out: does your financing company give permission for your type of vehicle to be transported?  Take for example, we have a 2006 Honda Odyssey touring van and were really wanting to take it with us to the UK.  We discovered it would be less of a loss to ship it over, than to sell it.  However, come to find out, the Honda financing company VERY RARELY grants permission for their financed vehicles to be transported to England.  Unfortunately that means that I will have to figure out what to do with this wonderful minivan before me and the kids move over there around the end of summer.

Anyway, PM him and he can give you lots of good information!

Andrea Thompson