Importation of Japanese Used Cars in UK

Japan is the world's leading source of automobiles and is known for ages for delivering high quality vehicles at competitive prices. Importing a used car from Japan is very frequent because of their reliability and authenticity. Buying a used vehicle is a wise decision as one gets higher specification vehicles at competitive rates. Like many countries, Britain also imports large numbers of used vehicles. Importing used cars in UK is very popular because of the financial savings that the importer experiences.



Major shipping ports in UK are Bristol, Liverpool, and Southampton. Newcastle and Tilbury are also used for importing Japanese used cars. Generally RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) shipping method is used for importation. However, on request of importer, more expensive container method can be arranged. Almost all types of Japan used cars are being imported in UK. Some of the popular car makers in UK are Mazda, Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi. Importing a Japanese used car in UK is not difficult,
used vehicle importers just have to follow certain rules for smooth customs clearance. Importation of only Right-Hand Drive(RHD) vehicles is allowed in UK. The maximum permitted width and length of vehicles in Britain is 2.55m and 12m respectively.

The used vehicle imported in Britain should match with the standards and regulations of the country. If the used car is coming from outside the EU, it must pass the Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) Test for cars. It is a pre-registration inspection for cars in order to ensure that the vehicle meets safety standards when used on public roads. MOT (Ministry Of Transport) Certification is compulsory test, to check vehicle's roadworthiness. The test is carried out by a Government approved testing center and after third year since vehicle first registration, every vehicle in UK must have a MOT test yearly.

Documents required for Customs clearance:-

• Purchase Invoice from the supplier to show the owner of the vehicle.
• Bill Of Lading (BOL).
• De-registration Certificate.
• Original Identification proof.
• Trader’s Unique Reference Number (TURN) for Commercial Importers.

Import duty and taxes in UK:-

• Duty=10%*CIF
• VAT = 17.5%*CIF + duty

Duty and tax-free importation of used vehicle is permitted only by a diplomat, a member of an officially recognized international organization, a member of NATO or British forces or the civilian staff accompanying them.

Following are the conditions when the used car importer does not have to pay duty or VAT:-

1. Moving back to the UK:
• The importer has had his home outside the UK for at-least a year.
• The vehicle must be possessed and used by the importer for at-least 6 months before it is imported.
• The importer must have paid the tax or duty for the vehicle while buying.
• The importer should keep the vehicle for personal use for at-least a year after the vehicle is imported.
2. Importing previously exported vehicle:
• Vehicle must be exported within last 3 years only.
• Vehicle must not be tampered except necessary repairing.
3. Non-EU registered vehicles:
• The importer should be a non-EU resident.
• The importer should not sell, lend the vehicle in EU.
• Use it for personal use only and re-export it after 6 months.

For registering a used car in UK:-

1. Vehicle should pass certain test depending on its age:-
   
   Those vehicles which are below 3 years old should pass SVA/ESVA Test, but there is no need to go for MOT Test. Vehicles with age between 3 years and 10 years should pass SVA/ESVA Test along with MOT Test. Vehicles with age more than 10 years should pass MOT Test, but there are no requirements for SVA/ESVA Test.
2. To register a used vehicle with the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the owner must fill the V55/5 form. Once the form is completed, send the form along with the following documents with DVLA:-
   
   
   • Documents to confirm name such as birth certificate, driving license, passport.
   • Documents to confirm address such as Utility bill, Council tax bill.
   • Motor insurance from a British company.
   • Cost of vehicle tax.
   • Vehicle registration fee.
   • Deregistration Certificate.
   • MOT certificate.
   • Proof of customs clearance.
   • SVA/IVA as vehicle imported from outside the EU.

Japan has always been a popular source for transportation of used and new vehicle. With time, the trend of buying Japanese used vehicles has increased. The reason for this is their superior quality and performance. Japanese automobile industry is known among people from years. Importation of used cars and other vehicles from Japan to UK just require following of few guidelines. Even though the vehicles imported into UK from Japan are used, but they do not lack a bit in quality.