Classic cars

How do you import a Volvo P1800 to the UK?

Every Volvo P1800 was built between 1961 and 1973, so every one is over 40 years old and the model is long out of production: an original car comes in at 0% duty and 5% import VAT as a collector’s vehicle and can go into the historic tax class, with nothing to pay, once you apply. Many are left-hand drive cars from America, and the thing to check is whether the engine and suspension are still original.

Published 26 September 2026 · 6 min read

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1. P1800, 1800S, 1800E and 1800ES

Volvo built the P1800 from 1961 to 1973, and the 1800ES estate was the last version, made in 1972 and 1973 (Volvo Cars). The first cars were built in Britain: Pressed Steel in Scotland made the bodies and Jensen Motors in West Bromwich assembled them, until assembly moved to Gothenburg in 1963 and the car became the 1800S.

Every P1800 is over 40 years old and the model is no longer in production. An original car pays 0% duty and 5% import VAT as a collector's vehicle under heading 9705, needs no vehicle approval, can go into the historic tax class with nothing to pay once you apply, and, with no substantial changes, is exempt from the MOT (GOV.UK).

2. Common upgrades and the collector's rate

P1800 owners like to improve their cars. The Volvo Enthusiasts Club describes swapping the early B18 engine for the later B20 as a straight swap, and lists polyurethane bushes, uprated dampers, wider wheels, high-lift camshafts and sports exhausts as common changes. The collector's rate needs the car without substantial changes to the engine or suspension, so a later engine in an early car is the kind of thing to know about before you buy, and to be ready to explain.

3. Left-hand drive and American cars

According to the Volvo Enthusiasts Club, most of the early Jensen-built cars were left-hand drive and went mainly to America, with a minority built in right-hand drive for Britain and other markets. That makes the USA a natural place to look. On the American side the seller must hand over the title, and the title plus two copies go to US Customs at least 72 hours before export (CBP). A US-built car would pay full duty, but the P1800 is Swedish or British built, and as a collector's vehicle it pays 0% duty whatever its origin. See our USA import guide for shipping.

4. Dating the car

The DVLA dates an import from the original foreign registration document or title, and may accept other dating evidence if that is missing (GOV.UK). When the foreign papers do not show the date, a dating certificate proves the car's age, and we obtain it for you.

5. The import in order

1. Import declaration at the collector's rate if the car is original.
2. NOVA within 14 days of arrival.
3. MOT, unless the car qualifies for the historic exemption.
4. First registration on a V55/5, an application for the historic tax class and an age-related plate. If the car was first registered in the UK before it went abroad, its original number can be claimed back on form V765.