How much tax will you actually pay?
Two taxes apply when a vehicle comes into the UK: customs duty and import VAT. What you pay depends almost entirely on the age of the vehicle, and after that on where it was built.
| Your car | Customs duty | Import VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Over 30 years old, original condition, any country | 0% | 5% |
| EU built, under 30 years, valid origin proof | 0% | 20% |
| Japan built, under 30 years, valid origin claim | 0% | 20% |
| Any other country, under 30 years | 10% | 20% |
For a classic over 30 years old, origin stops mattering. American, Japanese or European, it is 0% duty and just 5% VAT.
How the calculation works
The two taxes are not simply added together. Duty is worked out first, as a percentage of the value of the vehicle. VAT is then charged on the value plus that duty, so the two stack. This is why the order changes the final figure.
Take a £15,000 car from the USA, under 30 years old:
- Customs duty: 10% of £15,000 = £1,500
- Import VAT: 20% of £16,500 (the value plus the duty) = £3,300
- Total to pay: £4,800
The same car, if it were over 30 years old and original, would pay 0% duty and 5% VAT: £750. That single difference is worth more than £4,000, which is why the build date is the first thing to check before you buy.
Motorcycles
Bikes follow the same age logic, with different duty rates. A non-EU motorcycle pays around 8% duty up to 250cc, or about 6% over 250cc, plus 20% VAT. A bike over 30 years old pays 0% duty and just 5% VAT, exactly like a car.
When you pay nothing at all
Some routes remove both taxes completely. The calculator covers each of them.
- Transfer of Residence: you are moving your home to the UK and bringing your car with you.
- Returned Goods Relief: the car left the UK and you, the same owner, are bringing it back.
- Inherited vehicles: the car came to you through an estate.
- Diplomatic or Crown servant use.
Each has its own conditions, and HMRC decides in every case. If you think one applies to you, tell us and we will check it properly before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
How much tax do I have to pay to import my car to the UK?
It depends on age and origin. A classic over 30 years old in original condition pays 0% duty and just 5% VAT, whatever the country. A standard car under 30 years pays up to 10% duty and 20% VAT. EU and Japanese cars reach 0% duty with valid origin proof, but still pay 20% VAT if under 30 years old.
How is import tax on a car calculated?
Duty is worked out first, on the value of the car. VAT is then charged on the value plus that duty, so the two stack together.
How much tax to import a classic car to the UK?
0% duty and 5% VAT, if it is over 30 years old and original. On a £15,000 car that is £750, against roughly £4,800 if it did not qualify.
How much duty do you pay importing a motorcycle?
Around 8% up to 250cc, or about 6% over 250cc, plus 20% VAT. A bike over 30 years old pays 0% duty and just 5% VAT.
Can I import a car to the UK without paying tax?
Sometimes. Transfer of Residence relief can remove both taxes if you are moving to the UK. Returned Goods Relief applies if you are bringing back a car you exported yourself. Inherited and diplomatic vehicles may also qualify. HMRC decides.
Is this calculator accurate?
It applies the standard UK rules for 2026 and gives a reliable guide. It is not a formal quote: the final amount depends on HMRC's assessment of your specific vehicle, its condition and the documents provided.
Read more
We have written these guides in plain English, based on over 1,500 vehicles cleared since Brexit.