Importing a classic car from the USA to the UK means shipping it across the Atlantic, clearing customs, paying 0% duty and just 5% VAT if it is over 30 years old, original and of a model no longer in production, then the MOT if it needs one and the DVLA registration. Left-hand drive is fully legal. Here is what to expect on a Mustang, Corvette or muscle car.
The rates on a US classic
America is where the best classic muscle and cruisers come from, and the tax treatment rewards age. A classic over 30 years old, in its original state and of a model no longer in production, pays 0% duty and 5% VAT. A standard US car pays the full 10% duty and 20% VAT, so the classic classification is worth a lot.
| Vehicle | Duty | VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Classic over 30 years, original, model no longer made (e.g. '69 Mustang) | 0% | 5% |
| Standard US car under 30 years | 10% | 20% |
| Moving to the UK (Transfer of Residence) | 0%* | 0%* |
*Transfer of Residence relief applies if you owned the car 6+ months and lived abroad 12+ months. Duty and VAT are charged on the CIF value: car plus insurance plus freight.
Check the classic rate before the car ships, not after it lands. If the classification is borderline, an Advance Tariff Ruling from HMRC confirms it up front and stops a nasty surprise at the port.
Shipping across the Atlantic
Two main options. RoRo (roll-on roll-off) is usually the cheaper option. Container shipping costs more but is safer for a valuable, non-running or classic car and lets you ship some spares inside. West Coast ports cost more than East Coast.
The process in short
- Ship and clear customs. The car arrives, and a UK import declaration is filed with HMRC.
- Pay duty and VAT. 5% for a qualifying classic, 10% + 20% otherwise, on the CIF value.
- File NOVA. HMRC must be notified within 14 days of arrival, and it must clear before registration.
- IVA test or MOT. Under 10 years needs IVA; over 10 is exempt from IVA and needs a UK MOT, unless it was built or first registered more than 40 years ago with no substantial changes.
- DVLA registration. We prepare and pre-fill the V55/5; you sign it and post it to the DVLA, which issues a UK number and a V5C.
You do not need to convert to right-hand drive; LHD is fully legal. Some US cars need small changes: headlights adjusted to dip left, a rear fog lamp on the right or in the centre if the car was first used on or after 1 April 1980, and a speedometer showing both mph and km/h if first used on or after 1 April 1984. Red rear indicators are only allowed on cars first used before 1 September 1965; later cars need amber.
Shipping a slice of Americana home?
We handle customs, the 5% classic rate and NOVA, and we prepare every DVLA form, you just sign and post. From £95. Real people, straight answers.
Get a free quote for my American importWhat to check before you buy
- Confirm the exact build date: 30 and 40 years are the thresholds that matter
- Check the title history: a salvage or rebuilt title usually means an insurer has written the car off in the past
- Get an insurance quote first, since some US models are costly to cover in the UK
- Factor the GBP/USD exchange rate, which can move the total by thousands
Since Brexit we have cleared over 1,500 vehicles into the UK. If you would rather not juggle the HMRC and DVLA paperwork yourself, talk to a classic car import specialist and we will give you a straight answer on the cost.