Importing

[Vantastic]

For anyone who wants to take a risk .... there are some nice StepWagons in this company's website

http://www.tradecarview.com/stock/pr/8918/220/?aid=3&pn=3&ps=25

You can even see the cost of transport.

Has anyone on this forum done a direct import?

[Vantastic]

Here is the information from VOSA and the DVLA if anyone is interested in following this path (not for the faint hearted! )

FROM VOSA - http://www.vosa.gov.uk/

This is the organisation that carries out the Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test which is required for imported vehicles that are not covered by EU vehicle safety satandards. Cost for this test are shown here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/ImportingAndExportingAVehicle/DG_10018282

You will need to insure your vehicle if you intend to drive to the IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval - same as SVA) test. You would not require an MOT for 3 years after the test unless the DVLA require to see one for licencing purposes. All other queries should be directed to the DVLA at vehicles.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk

VOSA Contact Centre
Customer Directorate
Tel: 0300 123 9000

DVLA COMMENTS

DVLA Swansea can only answer general enquiries regarding vehicles used/registered abroad prior to registration with the DVLA . Specific enquiries regarding the procedures or documentation required must be directed to the DVLA Local Office where the application will be made.

When importing a vehicle, you should apply to tax and register the vehicle at your nearest DVLA Local Office, as soon as possible after arrival in the UK. A list of Local Office addresses may be found on our website as listed below, or in booklet V100 available at any tax disc issuing Post Office®. The vehicle must be in this country and available for inspection before you make the application. The only circumstances, in which you can drive the vehicle, are to and from a pre-arranged SVA/MOT test and to and from a garage for remedial work following failure to pass the test. Thereafter the vehicle should be kept off the road until the taxing and registration formalities have been completed. NB. UK law requires a vehicle to be licensed and registered for road use. To avoid difficulties, importers are advised to transport rather than drive their vehicles from the port of entry to home or first destination.

Please note applications will not be dealt with over the counter. Applications received outside a Local Office catchment area will be accepted and forwarded to the Local Office nearest the applicant’s home address for processing. Provided that the documentation is lodged with the Local Office in this way and the registration requirements have been complied with, the application will normally be dealt with by return of post.

From 1 January 2004 keepers who first license and register their vehicle(s) using application forms V55/4 or V55/5 will have to produce proof of name and address. A new information leaflet INF148 'Licensing and Registering Your Vehicle Using a V55/4 or a V55/5' has been produced giving details of the identity documents required. If you fail to read this information before submitting your application it may cause a delay in your application being processed.

The following documents will need to be submitted to the Local Office:

• Completed application form V55/4 or if appropriate V55/5:
• Form V55/4 is for "brand new" vehicles
• Form V55/5 is for "used" vehicles
• Appropriate Identity Documentation confirming your name and address
• A £55 registration fee (if applicable)
• The required fee for the tax disc
• British insurance certificate
• The appropriate Revenue & Customs form (see fact sheet 1)
• Foreign registration document and any other papers you have relating to the vehicle
• A current British MOT test certificate for:
• Cars, motorcycles, motor caravans and Light Good Vehicles if more than 3 years old
• Passenger carrying vehicles with more than 8 seats and taxis (excluding private hire cars) if more than 1 year old
• Evidence of type approval (see fact sheet 2)

A brand new vehicle can be driven to GB and registered as new provided the vehicle is registered quickly after collection, this is taken as 14 days, has reasonable delivery mileage and it has not been previously "permanently" registered.
On receipt of a completed application the Local Office will allocate a registration mark appropriate to the vehicle's date of first use abroad and issue a vehicle excise licence. The papers will be forwarded to DVLA Swansea and you will receive a registration certificate for the vehicle within 30 working days.

FACT SHEET 1 - REVENUE & CUSTOMS DOCUMENTATION - WHAT CUSTOMS FORM DO I NEED?

C&E 386 This form is issued by Revenue & Customs for a vehicle of any age personally imported from outside the European Union (EU).

C&E 388 This form is issued by Revenue & Customs for a Customs restricted vehicle of any age personally imported from outside the EU.

C&E 389 This is a self-declaration form which should be used by VAT registered traders for commercial imports from outside the EU.

BFG 414 This form is issued to all Customs relieved vehicles, irrespective of age, which have been personally acquired within the EU by British Forces Germany personnel.

VAT 414 This self-declaration form (available at Local Offices) should only be used in the following circumstances:
a) For NMT vehicles acquired commercially within the EU by VAT registered traders.
b) For vehicles not classed as NMTs (ie. over 6 months old and having travelled more than 6,000 kms) which have been acquired from within the EU.

VAT 415 This self-declaration form (available at Local Offices) should be completed by customers when they have personally acquired a New Means of Transport (NMT) from within the EU. Following licensing and registration the form will be forwarded to Revenue & Customs.
Please note that a VAT 415 cannot be used for vehicles imported from outside the EU (eg. Japan or the USA – even if the vehicle has been driven to the UK via an EU country).

NB: New Means of Transport (NMT) vehicles are defined by Revenue & Customs as originating from within the EU and are either less than 6 months old or have travelled less than 6,000 kms.

FACT SHEET 2 - TYPE APPROVAL

Most cars and light goods vehicles manufactured up to 10 years old need to produce evidence of type approval.
For vehicles brought in from the European Union this will take the form of an ECWVTA (Certificate of Conformity (CoC). Copies can be obtained from the manufacturer – a charge is usually made for this.

If you have been unable to obtain a Certificate of Conformity for a vehicle previously registered in another Member State prior to import it might be acceptable in the UK under the mutual recognition procedure. Further advice on this can be obtained from the Vehicle Certificate Agency – Telephone 0117 952 4125.

Vehicles imported from a non-European country will need to be submitted for an SVA inspection. Until 31 July 2001, one level of test applied to all vehicles. But from 1 August 2001 a more stringent test has been introduced. Enhanced SVA (ESVA). The Basic SVA will be retained only for the following main categories of imported vehicle.
• "personally imported" vehicle as defined below
• any left hand drive vehicle

From 17 June 2003, motorcycles must either have Type Approval, Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval or Mutual Recognition. Without such approval or exemption, such motorcycles cannot be registered in GB.

WHAT IS A PERSONAL IMPORT

As from 1 February 2001 you are a personal importer only
a. if the vehicle has been imported by a person entering the United Kingdom;
b. that person had, at the time the vehicle was imported, been normally resident in a country other than the United Kingdom for a continuous period of at least 12 months;
c. that person intends to become normally resident in the United Kingdom;
d. the vehicle has been in the possession of that person and used by him in the country where he has been normally resident for a period of at least 6 months before its importation; and
e. the vehicle is intended for his personal or household use in the United Kingdom. Establishing the criteria of the new
"Personal Import" criteria will be the responsibility of the Vehicle Inspectorate.

Vehicles over 10 years old are exempt from type approval and from SVA.

NB: Vehicles over 3 years old are also required to pass an MOT (Passenger Carrying Vehicles with more than 8 seats and taxis – excluding private hire cars – if more than 1 year old).

Further information can be obtained from the booklets "How to Import a Vehicle into Great Britain" (PI5) and "The Single Vehicle Approval Scheme" (SVA4).

If you send DVLA your full name and postal address they will arrange for the relevant application pack to be sent to you.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/motoring