How to Import Cars From Japan to the UK

Importing vehicles can save money in the long run.

Importing a car from Japan to the United Kingdom can be done in two ways. Get U.K. importers who will do it for you or do all of the paperwork yourself. This can be a tedious task, but the financial savings can be very significant. And the self-fulfillment of being able to do the task can be thrilling. Importing vehicles from one country to another is very popular because of the financial savings that the buyer experiences.

Instructions

1. Find an export agent in Japan. This will be the person who purchases the car that you want and completes the paper work required to load your car onto a ship in Japan.

2. Give the export agent your desired car specifications. Talk to him or her about the car model, accessories that you would like, color and other attributes.

3. Contact the U.K. freight and clearance agents. Have the agency direct you to the customs clearance agent who can arrange the payments for duty and VAT fees once the car arrives in the United Kingdom.

4. Make arrangements for a Single Vehicle Approval Scheme (SVA). The SVA is a pre-registration inspection for vehicles types that have not been approved to British or European standards. This is to ensure that the vehicle meets safety standards when used on public roads.

5. Obtain a Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) New Registration or Import Pack through your local DVLA.

6. Present the Bill of Ladel, Japanese de-registration documentation and customs invoice to the U.K. Freight and Customs Agency. Your export agent will provide these documents to you.

7. Obtain your imported vehicle from customs when it arrives. Register the vehicle immediately at your local DVLA.

Tips & Warnings

• Be be selective when choosing an export agent because he will pay a crucial part in helping you to get a car from Japan. Also, make a computation of all of the costs that you will incur including the cost of your time to go through all of the paperwork. Match those costs against the cost of getting a car from a U.K. importer and decide if it is worth it.

References

• Directgov: Registering an imported vehicle
• Motoring Community: Can I Import My Own Vehicle?