My Car Import

My Car Import: vehicle import and registration in the UK

My Car Import is a British company dedicated to importing cars into the UK and their subsequent registration. It presents itself as a specialist in DVLA procedures and customs management, and claims to have over 25 years of experience and thousands of vehicles imported from different countries.

Import and logistics services

The company covers the entire import process, from vehicle collection to final delivery. For vehicles from outside Europe, it offers collection from the customer's address and transfer to the warehouse where containers are loaded. For European vehicles, it has several transport options, including handling post-Brexit procedures. It also carries out collections within the UK with open or enclosed trailers, adapting to the customer's schedule.

In the maritime field, My Car Import manages the complete shipment, from container loading to unloading at its UK facilities, and offers marine insurance during the process to cover total loss or significant damage. It works with container shipments, RoRo, European transport and air freight.

Customs and taxation

The company acts as an authorised agent for HMRC CDS declarations and has its own staff specialised in customs. It manages the clearance of vehicles already in the UK, about to arrive or whose shipment it has organised itself. Its customs services include imports from the EU and outside the EU, NOVA applications, CDS customs clearances and transfer of residency.

On tax matters, the company details the usual cases: vehicles registered in the EU attract 20% import VAT on the purchase price and associated transport costs; vehicles from outside the EU add a 10% import duty to that 20%; and vehicles over 30 years old may qualify for a reduced VAT rate of 5% and duty exemption due to their historical interest. Those transferring their residence to the UK, having lived outside for more than 12 months and owned the car for more than 6 months, can apply for a tax and duty-free import through a Transfer of Residency application with HMRC. It also considers the tax-free re-import of vehicles previously registered in the UK, provided the original purchase invoice and a copy of the old V5C logbook are supplied.

Modifications and adaptation to UK regulations

My Car Import carries out at its facilities the necessary modifications for the vehicle to comply with UK legislation. Left-hand drive cars usually require changes to the headlight pattern to avoid dazzling, the speedometer to show miles per hour and the rear fog light if not compatible. US market vehicles need a complete lighting conversion, which the company estimates at 8-10 hours of work with parts from its own warehouse. Right-hand drive cars usually need fewer adaptations, although the speedometer may need to be changed. The company also offers light conversions and preparation for compliance tests.

Testing and registration

The company claims to have been the first privately owned testing lane in the UK, allowing it to offer IVA, MSVA and MOT tests at its own facilities. My Car Import personally schedules the date and time of the tests, which prevents the vehicle from having to leave its facilities for registration and reduces waiting times. It has a dealer-level account with the DVLA that allows it to register imported cars within 10 working days. The company declares itself a specialist in all types of registrations, regardless of age, type or style required, and in obtaining additional documentation to meet DVLA requirements, including the registration of classic vehicles.

Storage and delivery

If the vehicle must remain at the facilities beyond the standard import and registration process, My Car Import offers outdoor and indoor storage options, keeping the car charged and ready for collection or delivery. Once registered, the customer can collect it at the facilities or request delivery to any UK address, with open or enclosed transport options.

Guides and customer service

The company publishes guides by country, manufacturer and vehicle type. According to its own count, it has 54 country guides, from Australia to Ukraine, as well as content on specific brands and categories such as classics, kei, commercial and motorcycles. To request a quote, the customer indicates where the vehicle is, what it is and where they want it taken, and the company responds with a price for the whole job, not just transport.