Ok, where to start?
The process of importing a car is not for the faint of heart.
First of all, you will need to apply to ministry of trade and industry for an import licence before the car ships - they can give you the rates of exemption for import duty.
You will also need to provide a sworn affidavit that you are a returning resident and are bringing a car for private use. You can't transfer the vehicle for the first 2 years after import.
The car must not be older than 4 years and you must have owned it for at least 6 months.
The best bet is if the car is at least 2 years old then the import duty is less than 10% of it's value - my car was just under 2 years old at time of import, so I paid 17.5% duty.
You will still have to pay VAT at 15% and motor vehicle tax(MVT) - but this shouldn't be too much for a 1.8i.
You will need to apply to the DVLA in the U.K. for a "certificate of permanent export" to remove the car from the U.K. Keep the original of this, but make a few copies to give to the TnT authorities - this way they know that the car hasn't been stolen and exported from U.K.
Getting this certificate is a quick easy process from any DVLA local office.
Get a customs broker here to clear the car!!!! Don't try this yourself. A broker will probably charge about $700-$800.
T&T Bureau of standards will want to inspect the car's tires before allowing it to be licenced( and they will need to take them off the rims!)
So I would recommend shipping the car with cheap or worn tires and then putting on new local tires when the car arrives (TTBS will approve these tires with a quick visual inspection with them still on the car)
Finally, shipping!
I recommend
www.autoshippers.co.uk
they will ship roll on roll off to POS and will pick up your car from anywhere in the U.K., or you can drop it at the port for them.
They will ship it below decks with the Geest line in my case.
They charged me £900 to ship a Honda Accord, you may find cheaper alternatives but these guys take care of EVERYTHING and are completely hassle free. The car arrived in excellent condidtion.
The other shipping option is to put the car in a container, but this is more expensive, however the car is better protected from prying eyes.
The Parker's guide is a used car price guide available in most U.K. bookshops - T&T customs use a copy to make sure importers are not trying to undervalue their cars.
Hope this helps. Any questions- feel free to ask!!!
