Importing a car from Australia to the UK: a how-to guide

Considering buying a car from Australia, but want to drive it in the UK? You’ll need to know about shipping it over, including all the paperwork and procedures involved.

In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know about how to import cars from Australia to the UK. This includes helpful info on the procedures, paperwork and costs involved. Plus, how to register your vehicle with the DVLA once it arrives in the UK.

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Pros and cons of importing a car from Australia

Before we get started, let’s firstly take a look at why you might want to import a car from Australia in the first place, rather than buying it in the UK. Plus, any potential pitfalls you need to look out for.

Pros:

• It could be cheaper than buying the equivalent car in the UK, even after factoring in shipping costs
• Access to unusual or exotic models you can’t find here in the UK.

Cons:

• Vehicles manufactured in Australia (and not designed for the UK market) may not necessarily be built to the same specifications as UK and European cars. This means that modification and/or testing may be required, at extra expense.
• Import duties and taxes can be expensive, unless you meet certain conditions
• The hassle - there’s a certain amount of inconvenience and paperwork involved in importing a vehicle into the UK from outside Europe.
• There’s a chance your car insurance premiums may be higher with an imported vehicle.
• Repairs, parts, servicing and maintenance might be difficult, especially if you have a rarer model.

Can you import and register a car from Australia to the UK?

Yes, you can import a car from Australia, but there are some rules you should be aware of before starting the process.

Firstly, you’ll need to make sure the vehicle you’re importing meets the UK’s environmental and safety regulations.

For any vehicle not registered in the EU, you’ll need to apply to the DVLA for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA).¹

There are some exemptions to this rule, such as for some vehicles manufactured over 10 years ago.¹ You can check the list of exemptions here, to see if any apply in your case.

For newer models (under 10 years old), you’ll need to get hold of a ‘Model Report’ document from the manufacturer. This can be very difficult to obtain.²

You won’t need this if you’ve been living in Australia but are returning to the UK to live permanently. You’ll need to have lived in Australia for at least 12 months, and owned the car in question for at least 6 months.²

How to import a car from Australia to the UK?

Here’s how to import a car from Australia to the UK:

1. Find a vehicle and make the purchase
2. Look for a car shipping specialist
3. Get the paperwork sorted for the car
4. Register your imported vehicle with DVLA
5. Prepare your vehicle for UK roads

Now, let’s delve a bit deeper into these different steps, as it can be a slightly complicated process.

1. Find a vehicle and make the purchase

First up, you’ll need to shop around and find a car you want to buy. If you live in Australia or can take a trip there, you’ll be able to visit dealerships, car auctions or private sellers in person.

Ideally, you’ll inspect the car in person. If you’re based in the UK though, Australia is an awfully long way to go for a test drive. So, you might want to find someone trustworthy who lives in Australia to check out the car on your behalf.

You’ll also need to be very careful of scams if you’re buying a car in another country - or making any large purchase, for that matter. Do your homework on the seller, to make sure they’re legitimate.

And before committing to the purchase, make sure to read the small print and uncover any hidden fees before sending over funds.

If you’re happy and ready to buy, make sure to use a secure service to make your payment, like Wise. You can send large sums securely with Wise, with no hidden fees and fair, mid-market exchange rates for converting your GBP to AUD. It could be much cheaper than using your bank

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

💡Read more: What bank details are needed for an international bank transfer from the UK?

2. Look for a car shipping specialist

Bought your dream Australian car? Now it’s time to think about shipping.

Shipping a car overseas will always come with costs, and it’s only natural that you’ll want these to be as low as possible. But when choosing a shipping agency, you also need to look for a company which:

• Specialises in international vehicle shipping - ideally, from Australia to the UK
• Is fully insured
• Makes details of all fees and charges available upfront
• Is well reviewed and rated by previous customers.

You might also want to look for firms which offer tracking services, or tools to simplify the UK customs clearance process.

If you just go with the cheapest option, you could face unexpected problems. For example, the car could be damaged in transit, and the agency doesn’t have adequate insurance cover to pay for repairs. It could also be delayed, or stuck at customs because the paperwork hasn’t been done properly.

Options for shipping

There are a few different ways you can ship your newly purchased car from Australia to the UK. These are:³

• Roll on/roll-off. This is where cars are simply driven into a ship’s cargo area, along with other vehicles. It’s one of the cheapest options, but only suitable for working/driveable vehicles. There may also be a risk of damage.

• Shared container service. This is where your car is shipped with other vehicles inside a shipping container. The costs are shared between everyone using the container. It can be more secure, and is a good option for non-functioning cars, but it can take longer. This is because you’ll need to wait until the container is filled before it can be loaded and shipped.

• Full container load. With this method, you’ll get the shipping container all to yourself. It’s the most expensive option, as you’ll be responsible for all charges. However, it can be quicker as the container can be shipped at any time.

What to do before your vehicle is picked up overseas?

It’s a good idea to take some photos before your car sets off on its journey to the UK, and afterwards. This way, you’ll be able to identify and prove any damage caused to the vehicle in transit. This can help if you need to make a claim for reimbursement.

When taking photos, focus on key points of contact, anywhere the car will be secured during transit. For example, side skirts, axles and wheels.

You should also research insurance options, both for the journey and for when the car arrives in the UK.

3. Get the paperwork sorted for the car

Now we come to the important part - the paperwork. You’ll need certain documents to make sure your Australian import clears customs in the UK. It’ll also be needed for registering the car with the DVLA.

Here’s what you should have ready:⁴

Document	Where to get it
Import declaration	The Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system - although your shipping agency can handle this for you
Proof of ownership - such as the invoice or bill of sale for your vehicle (needed for the import declaration)	The seller/dealer
Shipping note and bill of lading (BOL)	Your shipping agency
Vehicle registration certificate or the vin/chassis number	The seller/dealer
Proof of Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)	DVLA
Model Report (if needed)²	Vehicle manufacturer

You’re also likely to need a form of photo ID, such as your passport.

💡Read more: What is cash against documents?

4. Register your imported vehicle with DVLA

Once your vehicle has cleared UK customs, you’ll have two key things to get sorted.

The first is to tell HMRC within 14 days of the car arriving in the UK.⁴ They’ll tell you if any VAT or duties are due, and you’ll need to pay them if so.

Only once you’ve done this, can you move onto the second job - registering the car with the DVLA.

This involves filling in some forms and providing supporting documents. DVLA may also ask to inspect the vehicle. Once you’ve submitted your application, it can take up to 6 weeks to receive your V5C registration certificate.⁵

Which documents do you need for registering an imported car?

Make sure you have these documents ready in order to register your Australian import with the DVLA:⁵

• Proof of Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)
• Form V267 (for new vehicles)
• Original foreign registration certificate (or letter from the manufacturer if unavailable)
• Invoice from the supplier/seller.

5. Prepare your vehicle for UK roads

The last step is to get your Australian car ready and road legal before you can drive it in the UK. This includes getting a UK number plate, insurance and paying Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

For certain Australian cars, you might need to make some adjustments or modifications. If your chosen vehicle doesn’t pass the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) process, you’ll need to pay for modifications to be made.

How much does it cost to import a car from Australia to the UK?

Even if you find a bargain in Australia, you’ll need to budget for things like shipping agency fees and import duties to actually get your new car over to the UK.

The costs can vary depending on the agency you use, along with a number of other factors. But here’s a rough guide to some of the costs you can expect:

Type	Cost
Shipping agency fees	From $2,000 AUD (approx. £1,075 GBP)⁶
Import duty (if applicable)	10%⁶
VAT (if applicable)	20%⁶
DVSA inspection fee for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)	£199 to £294⁷

Use this UK import tax calculator to calculate the customs duty you need to pay.

If you’re paying any of these fees in AUD, pause before using your bank. Take a look at the Wise account instead, as it could save you money.

You can send money worldwide with Wise for low fees and fair exchange rates. It’s convenient, secure and speedy, even for large transfers. So, you can get your new car on its way to the UK quickly.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

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And that’s pretty much it - all the essentials you need to know about importing a car from Australia to the UK.

We’ve run through what order to do things in, the documents you’ll need and how much it costs. You should be all set to go car shopping!

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Sources used:

1. Gov.uk - Importing vehicles into the UK - Vehicle approval
2. Ship My Car - Shipping a car from Australia to UK
3. CFR Classic - Car shipping from USA to UK
4. Gov.uk - Importing vehicles into the UK - Telling HMRC
5. Gov.uk - Importing vehicles into the UK - Registering an imported vehicle
6. A1 Auto Transport - Cost to ship a car from Australia to UK
7. Gov.uk - IVA inspection fees

Sources last checked on date: 08-May-2023