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Import Regulations in UK for Japan Used Cars

Restriction in Number of Years:
Max. 10 Years Old
Shipping Ports:
Bristol, Liverpool, Southampton, Newcastle, Tilbury
Shipment Time:
RoRo (24-34 Days)
Shipping Schedule:
RoRo (Monthly)
Shipping Line:
Mediterranean Shipping Co (UK) Ltd.
Inspection:
SVA or IVA
Both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive used Japanese cars are permitted for import in the United Kingdom. Japan used vehicles to be imported in the UK have to go through and pass the Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) or Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection tests. An inspection by the Ministry of Transport is done to check the roadworthiness of the vehicle. Inspection tests are done to check that imported vehicles meet the standards of road safety in the UK.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR IMPORT OF VEHICLES

Documents required for importing used Japanese vehicles in Switzerland are: Identity proof (original)

  • Sales or purchase invoice (to show the vehicle’s owner)
  • eDe-registration certificate
  • Bill of Lading
  • Driving license
  • Cost of vehicle tax
  • Trader's Unique Reference Number (TURN) (for commercial vehicle importers)
  • A document for confirming address (eg., utility bills)
  • Motor insurance (obtained from a British company)
  • Export certificate (original)
  • Export certificate (translated)
TAXATION
  • 10% duty will be imposed for importing used cars and 22% duty on commercial vehicles and pickups.
  • 17.5% VAT will be charged.
  • Ownership tax will be applicable to the import of passenger cars depending on the levels of CO2 emissions and commercial vehicles depending on the weight and axles of the vehicle.
EXEMPTION IN DUTY AND TAX
  • An exemption is given to returning residents in the UK if the importer has lived abroad for no less than a year, has owned the vehicle to be imported for no less than 6 months in abroad, has paid all the necessary duties and taxes when the vehicle was bought, and the imported vehicle must be intended for personal usage for no less than a year.
  • The exemption is provided for importing vehicles that have already been exported out of the UK within the last 3 years before re-importation, provided that the vehicle is not damaged or tampered and is in a good condition.
  • The exemption is provided for importing vehicles that have been registered outside of the EU, provided that the importer of the vehicle is not a resident of the EU. The importer is not allowed to sell or transfer or lend the vehicle and intends to keep it for personal usage in the EU. The import has to export the vehicle outside the UK after 6 months.
INSPECTION TESTS ON VEHICLES AS PER THEIR AGE
  • SVA/ESVA test is done for vehicles that are less than 3 years old.
  • SVA/ESVA and MOT tests are done for the vehicles that are 3 to 10 years old.
  • MOT test is done for vehicles that are above 10 years old.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

For registering Japan used cars in the UK, the required documents are:

  • V55/5 Form (to be completed)
  • A document confirming the address (eg. utility bills)
  • A document confirming the name of the importer (eg. driving license, birth certificate, etc.)
  • Cost of vehicle tax
  • De-registration certificate of the vehicle
  • Motor insurance (to be obtained from a British company)
  • MOT certificate
  • SVA/IVA (for vehicles imported outside of the EU)
  • Customs clearance proof

The above documents are required to be submitted to the DVLA.