Quick answer
To import a car from Europe to the UK you need transport from the seller to your door, a customs declaration and NOVA notification on arrival (ShipMyCar handles both for a fixed £150), import VAT and duty (20% VAT plus 10% duty for most vehicles; 0% duty only where the exporter declares EU origin with a valid exporter reference; 5% VAT and 0% duty for vehicles over 30 years old), and DVLA registration before UK road use. If you are moving to the UK, Transfer of Residence relief can remove the VAT entirely.
What does it cost to import a car from Europe?
Since Brexit, a car brought from the EU to the UK goes through customs like any other import. Import VAT is 20% on the vehicle value for most cars. Duty is 10% unless the car is EU-manufactured and the seller/exporter holds a valid exporter reference number and declares its EU origin: HMRC does not accept proof of origin from the manufacturer, so a Mercedes bought from a private seller usually still pays 10% duty. Vehicles over 30 years old in original condition qualify for 0% duty and a reduced 5% VAT rate regardless. If you are relocating to the UK, have owned the car for at least six months, and have lived abroad for at least twelve months, Transfer of Residence relief can remove the import VAT entirely.
On top of the tax position there are three cost blocks: transport from the seller or collection address to your UK door, customs clearance with the NOVA notification (ShipMyCar handles it for a fixed £150 so you only pay HMRC exactly what is due), and UK registration, including any testing the vehicle needs. The online calculator prices all of them together for your exact route.
- 20% import VAT for most vehicles; 10% duty unless EU origin is declared
- 0% duty for EU-manufactured cars with a valid exporter origin declaration
- 0% duty + 5% VAT for classics over 30 years old
- Transfer of Residence relief if you are moving to the UK
- Fixed £150 customs clearance and NOVA fee
- DVLA registration before UK road use
Door-to-door transport from any EU country
ShipMyCar runs a dedicated European transport network covering the whole EU: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and beyond. Vehicles are collected from the seller, auction, or private address and delivered to your UK door on a single quote, with the Channel crossing and both road legs handled by carriers who specialise in cross-border vehicle movements.
Running and non-running vehicles are both covered, and the calculator prices the exact collection and delivery postcodes rather than quoting port-to-port and leaving the hard parts to you.
Registration, NOVA, and testing after arrival
Every vehicle imported to the UK must be notified to HMRC through NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrivals) before it can be registered: this is included in ShipMyCar’s fixed-fee customs service. The DVLA registration then follows, and the testing route depends on the vehicle: many EU vehicles follow a straightforward MOT route, while some newer vehicles need approval checks before registration. ShipMyCar handles modifications and testing at its Milton Keynes facility, including an in-house IVA test lane, and prepares the DVLA paperwork so the car leaves the process road-legal.
Europe to UK Import Process
- 1
Price the route
Enter the EU collection country and UK destination in the online calculator for an instant, itemised price.
- 2
Arrange door-to-door transport
The vehicle is collected from the seller, auction, or private address anywhere in the EU and delivered to your UK door.
- 3
Clear customs and file NOVA
ShipMyCar submits the customs declaration and NOVA notification for a fixed £150, so you only pay HMRC what is actually due.
- 4
Settle the tax position
Most vehicles pay 20% import VAT plus 10% duty; 0% duty applies only to EU-manufactured cars with a valid exporter origin declaration; 30+ year classics pay 5% VAT and 0% duty; Transfer of Residence relief can remove VAT if you are moving to the UK.
- 5
Register with the DVLA
Testing (MOT or approval checks depending on the vehicle) and DVLA registration complete the import, and the car is ready for UK roads.
Common questions
How much tax do I pay when importing a car from Europe?
Import VAT is 20% on the vehicle value for most cars, and duty is 10% unless the car is EU-manufactured and the seller/exporter declares its EU origin with a valid exporter reference number: buying privately usually means the declaration is not available, so 10% duty applies. Vehicles over 30 years old in original condition pay 0% duty and a reduced 5% VAT. If you are moving to the UK, have owned the vehicle for at least six months, and have lived outside the UK for at least twelve months, Transfer of Residence relief can remove the import VAT entirely.
Do I pay import duty on an EU-built car bought from a private seller?
Usually yes: 10%. The 0% duty rate for EU-manufactured cars requires an origin declaration from a seller/exporter holding a valid exporter reference number, and HMRC does not accept proof of origin from the manufacturer. Private sellers almost never have an exporter reference, so an EU-built car bought privately normally pays 10% duty plus 20% VAT unless it is over 30 years old.
How much does it cost to import a car from Europe?
Beyond the tax position, budget for door-to-door transport (priced by route, vehicle size, and condition), a fixed £150 for customs clearance and the NOVA notification, and UK registration including any testing. The ShipMyCar online calculator prices all of these together for your exact route in minutes.
What is NOVA and do I need it?
NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrivals) is the HMRC notification every imported vehicle needs before it can be registered in the UK. ShipMyCar files it as part of the fixed £150 customs clearance service.
Do European cars need an IVA test in the UK?
It depends on the vehicle age and approval evidence. Many EU vehicles follow a straightforward MOT route, while some newer vehicles need approval checks before DVLA registration. ShipMyCar assesses this in the quote and handles any testing at its Milton Keynes facility, which includes an in-house IVA test lane.
Can ShipMyCar collect a car from anywhere in Europe?
Yes. The European transport network covers collection from any EU country: including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal: with door-to-door delivery to the UK on a single quote.