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 and original, then passing any required test before 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 original condition 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 (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.
Declare the classic rate before the car ships, not after it lands. Getting HMRC to confirm the 5% rate up front is what stops a nasty surprise at the port.
Shipping across the Atlantic
Two main options. RoRo (roll-on roll-off) is cheaper, from around £900 to £1,600 from the East Coast. Container shipping costs more, roughly £1,400 to £3,000, 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 needs an MOT; over 40 is exempt from both.
- DVLA registration. Submit a V55/5, get a UK number and a V5C.
You do not need to convert to right-hand drive; LHD is fully legal. Most US cars do need small tweaks: headlights adjusted to dip left, a speedometer reading mph, and rear fog light on the right. Budget a few hundred pounds for these.
Shipping a slice of Americana home?
We handle customs, the 5% classic rate, NOVA and DVLA registration under one roof, from £95. Real people, straight answers.
Get my free import assessmentWhat to check before you buy
- Confirm the exact build date: 30 and 40 years are the thresholds that matter
- Verify the title is clean, as salvage-title "seriously damaged" cars cannot be registered here
- 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 and registered over 1,500 vehicles into the UK, plenty of them American classics. If you would rather not juggle shipping agents, HMRC and the DVLA yourself, talk to a classic car import specialist and we will give you a straight answer on the cost.