Classic cars

How do you bring an MGB, TR6 or Austin-Healey home from the USA?

Most MGBs, TR6s and Austin-Healeys were exported to North America, so many of the best cars are there now. Bringing one home is an import: returned goods relief does not apply to a car bought from an American owner, but an original car, over 30 years old and of a model no longer in production, qualifies as a collector’s vehicle at 0% duty and 5% import VAT. The decisions are about US specification, conversions and proving the car’s history.

Published 26 September 2026 · 7 min read

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1. Why so many are in America

These cars were built for export. Of 512,243 MGBs made between 1962 and 1980, 298,052 went to North America (North American MGB Register). Of the Triumph TR6, Auto Express puts UK sales at 8,370 out of more than 90,000 built (Auto Express). The Austin-Healey 3000 was built from 1959 to 1967, 42,926 in total (Austin-Healey Club of America). That is why the USA, and dry states in particular, is where many of the best cars now are.

2. US specification, and converting back

American cars differ. Classic & Sports Car notes that US MGBs got rubber bumpers in 1974 and were detuned to as little as 70bhp with a single Stromberg carburettor from 1975, and that re-imports benefit from being modified back to European spec (Classic & Sports Car). US TR6s had carburettors, while UK cars had petrol injection (Auto Express).

That creates a real choice. The collector's rate under heading 9705 covers cars in their original state without substantial changes to the engine, steering or body, so a car already converted before import may be looked at differently from a factory US car. Import it as it is, and a later conversion does not change the rate you paid. If a car has already been converted, keep the records, and on a valuable car consider an Advance Tariff Ruling (HMRC guidance).

3. Returned goods relief will not apply

Relief on returning goods needs the same person who exported them to bring them back (GOV.UK). A British car bought from an American owner is simply an import. The good news is that all three models are over 30 years old and long out of production, so an original car pays 0% duty and 5% import VAT, and cars built before 1986 can go into the historic tax class, with nothing to pay, once you apply (GOV.UK).

4. Dating certificates and original numbers

A dating certificate shows the car's build date, engine and body numbers and original specification. It can help when applying for an age-related registration or the historic tax class, and we obtain it for you. The DVLA itself dates an import from the foreign title, or from other dating evidence when the title does not show the date (GOV.UK).

If the car was first registered in the UK before it left, you can apply for its original number on form V765, endorsed by an approved owners' club, with evidence linking the number to the chassis (GOV.UK).

5. The US paperwork

The title plus two copies go to US Customs and Border Protection at least 72 hours before export. Our USA guide covers shipping and the UK arrival steps.