JDM Japanese Car Import Thread

[Alex A G]

Hi Folks,

Just registered and did a search for a thread like this but couldn't find one. I've jumped in to the deep end feet first with an import car and thought I had looked (over a year) into how difficult it was. And just when I thought it was simple enough, I've landed in deep water. Does anyone here have experience with the process to ship here to the UK?.

I've got different opinions so far on what happens next. The car is on the way. HMRC have told me to just read this guide: https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

On the "telling HMRC" page if you're a private individual it tells you to fill out a C384 form within 2 weeks of the car arriving.

Another person at HMRC has told me that form is now obsolete from October 1st 2022 and I need to send them the export paperwork, the clearance paperwork from the docks, and a valuation. Valid within 3 months (like that's possible).

The third opinion was from the shipping agent I employed who told me I shouldn't have to do anything with HMRC. This was the 4th agent I went with, but the first 3 before told me I did have to register it/do the NOVA (C384) form after they clear it from customs & the docks.

Then there's this guy on Youtube:

Who just imported it. Got contacted by the docks. They organised customs duty and VAT to HMRC on his behalf - he had nothing to do with HMRC himself that I can tell - and went onto MOT and register it with the DVLA.

Obviously if it's this simple, and the shipping agent I employed just clear it from customs and the docks, organise my payment to HMRC, and deliver it to me, I'm in the clear. I can then get on with the MOT and DVLA. The DVLA told me it's ok to have it on private land before I MOT it, but HMRC told me I have to register it with the DVLA first. But that seems like it's the way it should work.

So I'm just wondering: like most people who work for government - is the HMRC person just incompetent? Or have I missed something important here and I need to do what they say?. When they say you've got 2 weeks to inform them on the car arrival it sounds reasonable, but it can take them 3 weeks for them to respond to an email. Assuming they respond at all. So I'll probably just do the C384 form and all the other crap they asked for. Or I might be facing fines for not informing them?.

Sorry for the text dump, but thought it could be a handy thread, and assuming I don't drive myself into the sea on the day, I'll update the thread if I get the car in December. Should have mentioned, it's a 1997 Toyota Celsior 57,000km. £4,700 before UK taxes & docking fees. (Or prison).

 

[Bper]

7 minutes ago, Alex A G said:

Hi Folks,

Just registered and did a search for a thread like this but couldn't find one. I've jumped in to the deep end feet first with an import car and thought I had looked (over a year) into how difficult it was. And just when I thought it was simple enough, I've landed in deep water. Does anyone here have experience with the process to ship here to the UK?.

I've got different opinions so far on what happens next. The car is on the way. HMRC have told me to just read this guide: https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

On the "telling HMRC" page if you're a private individual it tells you to fill out a C384 form within 2 weeks of the car arriving.

Another person at HMRC has told me that form is now obsolete from October 1st 2022 and I need to send them the export paperwork, the clearance paperwork from the docks, and a valuation. Valid within 3 months (like that's possible).

The third opinion was from the shipping agent I employed who told me I shouldn't have to do anything with HMRC. This was the 4th agent I went with, but the first 3 before told me I did have to register it/do the NOVA (C384) form after they clear it from customs & the docks.

Then there's this guy on Youtube:

Who just imported it. Got contacted by the docks. They organised customs duty and VAT to HMRC on his behalf - he had nothing to do with HMRC himself that I can tell - and went onto MOT and register it with the DVLA.

Obviously if it's this simple, and the shipping agent I employed just clear it from customs and the docks, organise my payment to HMRC, and deliver it to me, I'm in the clear. I can then get on with the MOT and DVLA. The DVLA told me it's ok to have it on private land before I MOT it, but HMRC told me I have to register it with the DVLA first. But that seems like it's the way it should work.

So I'm just wondering: like most people who work for government - is the HMRC person just incompetent? Or have I missed something important here and I need to do what they say?. When they say you've got 2 weeks to inform them on the car arrival it sounds reasonable, but it can take them 3 weeks for them to respond to an email. Assuming they respond at all. So I'll probably just do the C384 form and all the other crap they asked for. Or I might be facing fines for not informing them?.

Sorry for the text dump, but thought it could be a handy thread, and assuming I don't drive myself into the sea on the day, I'll update the thread if I get the car in December. Should have mentioned, it's a 1997 Toyota Celsior 57,000km. £4,700 before UK taxes & docking fees. (Or prison).

 

Hi Alex,

Isn't  the change in C384 form October 2022 just for business that import and not private individuals. 

[Alex A G]

Hi Bper,

That would be great and it might be possible since I've asked HMRC that, and told them I was going to fill it out and I'm a private individual, and they haven't corrected me. But if they're idiots would I expect them to?.

I'm assuming it should apply to me from what I've read here: https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/telling-hmrc the top part seems to be the online NOVA declaration for VAT registered companies that you can do online.

And then the bottom part says "If you're a non-VAT registered company or private individual". And then right under that it says you can get a freight agent to make the declaration for you.

So I've got a feeling I could have done this without a freight agent and just done the form and dealt with the docks like the guy in the video. Or the shipping/freight agent I employed has got it covered. 🙄

[flash22]

Has the car been released into your possession ??

Nova is for any vehicle import

please read the information it does state IF vat registered

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/860938/inf106-how-to-import-a-vehicle-into-the-united-kingdom.pdf

 

Nova 1 paper form, quicker if done online

https://www.2cvgb.co.uk/images/stories/downloads/nova-form.pdf

[Alex A G]

@flash22 That's a handy link, thanks. I wonder if the part that states: 

If you are a private individual or non VAT registered business importing from outside the EU, You don’t need to notify HMRC using NOVA (or theNOVA 1 form). However, there are certain customs forms you have to fill in before you can register your vehicle with DVLA.

I have previously gone down the online NOVA route to see where it leads, but it does seem to be for buisnesses and not private citizens. I wonder if the "customs forms" is the C384 form?.

"Please phone HMRC’s Customs International Trade and Excise enquiry line on 0300 200 3700 to find out which forms you will need."

I'll ring this number on monday and find out. Car isn't arriving till December, so a bit of time yet.