Importing a car from South Africa to the UK: a how-to guide

Thinking of buying a car from South Africa? Or perhaps you’ve already bought one while living overseas and need to get it shipped over to the UK.

South Africa is a great place to source a classic car, perhaps even at a bargain price. But how easy is it to import cars into the UK from SA?

In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know about how to import cars from South Africa 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 South Africa

Firstly, let’s take a look at why you might want to import a car from South Africa in the first place, rather than buying it in the UK. We’ll also run through any potential pitfalls you need to look out for.

Pros:

• It could be cheaper than UK equivalents, even after factoring in shipping costs
• Access to unusual or exotic models you can’t find here in the UK, particularly well-preserved classic cars.

Cons:

• Cars manufactured in South Africa (and not designed for the UK market) aren’t necessarily built to the same specifications as UK and European cars. So, modification and/or testing may be required. This can add to the cost.
• 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 South Africa to the UK?

Yes, you can import a car from South Africa, 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

This can be a little tricky for vehicles sourced from South Africa. For vehicles under 10 years old, you may not be able to get the necessary testing carried out, unless the following apply:²

• You’ve owned the car for at least 6 months in South Africa
• You lived in South Africa for at least 12 months
• You’ll be returning to the UK permanently to live.

These rules are designed to protect the UK’s right-hand drive market from cheaper imports (South African vehicles are also right-hand drive).

You’ll also need to pay full import duties and taxes unless you meet the requirements above.²

If you meet the criteria, you should be able to get IVA testing and approval.

For newer cars, the IVA test will still be required, and you may need to pay for modifications to be made so that the car meets UK regulations. We’ll touch on this more later.

How to import a car from South Africa to the UK?

Here’s how to import a car from South Africa 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

The first step is to find a car you want to buy. If you live in South Africa or can take a trip there, you’ll be able to visit dealerships, car auctions or private sellers in person.

If you can, it’s recommended to physically inspect the car in person, and perhaps take a test drive too. If you’re based in the UK and can’t get over to South Africa, see if you can find someone to check out the car in person before you commit to the purchase.

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.

You should also make sure to read the small print and uncover any hidden fees before sending over funds.

And when the time comes to make a payment, make sure to use a secure service to transfer your money, 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 ZAR. 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?

What are the most popular cars imported from South Africa to the UK?

Some of the most popular South African imports you’ll see on UK roads include:³

• Land Rover Defenders
• Range Rovers
• VW Kombi/Camper Vans.

2. Look for a car shipping specialist

With your dream car purchased, it’s time to think about shipping.

While cost is always going to be an important consideration, pause before just going with the cheapest option. You might save on shipping costs, but could end up with a damaged car and inadequate insurance to cover any repairs.

It’s more important for your car to arrive in the UK safely, quickly and with all the paperwork in order. So, look for car shipping agencies which:

• Specialises in international vehicle shipping - ideally, from South Africa to the UK
• Are fully insured
• Make details of all fees and charges available upfront
• Are 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.

Options for shipping

There are a few different ways you can ship your newly purchased car from South Africa to the UK. These are:⁴

• 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.

You’ll also need to decide whether to use a UK or South Africa-based shipping company. It could be worth choosing a UK-based agent, as you’ll both speak the same language. This minimises the risk of miscommunication, or you not understanding what is and isn’t included in the price you’re quoted.

What to do before your vehicle is picked up overseas?

Before your car sets off on its journey to the UK, it’s recommended to take some photos. Or if you’re not there in person, arrange for someone else to take them). You should also take photos once your car arrives in the country.

Focus on key points of contact, anywhere the car will be secured during transit. For example, side skirts, axles and wheels. Armed with this photographic evidence, you’ll be able to identify and claim for any damage caused during the journey.

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 South African 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:⁵

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

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 important things to get sorted.

Firstly, you need to tell HMRC within 14 days of the car arriving.⁵ 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 task - 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.⁶

Which documents do you need for registering an imported car?

Make sure you have these documents ready in order to register your South African import with the DVLA:⁶

• 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 South African 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 South African cars, you might need to make other adjustments. If your chosen vehicle doesn’t pass the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) process, you’ll need to pay for modifications to be made. For example, you might need the speedometer converting to MPH and rear fog lights installed.²

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

Importing a car from overseas will always come with costs. So even if you find a bargain in South Africa, you’ll need to budget for things like shipping agency fees and import duties.

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

Type	Cost
Shipping agency fees	Around £2,000⁷
Import duty (if applicable)	10%⁸
VAT (if applicable)	20%⁸
DVSA inspection fee for Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)	£199 to £294⁹

Use this UK import duty calculator to add up the customs charges.

If you’re paying any of these fees in ZAR, 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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After reading this guide, you should have a better idea of the process of importing a car from South Africa to the UK.

This includes the documents you’ll need, what order to do things in, and how much it costs. You’ll be ready to hit the road in no time.

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Sources used:

1. Gov.uk - Importing vehicles into the UK - Vehicle approval
2. Ship My Car - Shipping a car from South Africa to UK
3. KTL UK - Importing cars from South Africa
4. CFR Classic - Car shipping from USA to UK
5. Gov.uk - Importing vehicles into the UK - Telling HMRC
6. Gov.uk - Importing vehicles into the UK - Registering an imported vehicle
7. Motorious - How to import a car into the UK from South Africa
8. My Car Import - Importing a car from South Africa to the UK
9. Gov.uk - IVA inspection fees

Sources last checked on date: 08-May-2023