How To Get An Import Through Customs

October 8, 2005

Hello

I am about to import an Emina from Japan. I have no experience, but have got as far as arranging for the thing to be shipped to Southampton.

Does anyone know the procedure from it arriving on the ship to me getting it home?

I am on a really tight budget so I'd like to do it as cheaply as possible and preferably without having to pay an agent to do it.

For instance can I use the customs form C384 to pay the duty and then just go to the port with this and the other paperwork and get it and am I allowed to drive it home as long as it is insured (i.e. without tax, MOT and registration)

Thanks in advance for any help you can give

Chreag

October 11, 2005

You cant drive it home without reg plates and tax, the cops will stop u. 2 ways to get it home, on the back of a truck, or trade plates.

Also, i would recommend using an agent cause they know what they are doing. Its not simple and straight forward, but can be done by yourself.

thanks,

Kamran

October 11, 2005

I always drive my surfs out of the docks, just make sure that you have insurance.

October 12, 2005

Yep andy's right - my Cynos was still on Irish plates when i got her, as long as you have insurance you'll be ok.

I would also get some advice from an agent mate there will always be some hidden cost involed that the agent would warn you about :thumbsup:

Good luck

J

December 2, 2005

Hope this isn't a bit too late for you, I only just spotted your post!

I used a shipping agent and thought the £170 was well spent to be quite honest. Not sure how easy it would be to sort out yourself, especially if you're a first timer.

As far as getting it home goes, I can tell you that even if you do get stopped, the scrawl on the back of the ESVA form states that you can drive the thing to and from a testing station or place where such work is to be carried out, with a pre-arranged appointment booked. It's always a grey area with the police, but having been stopped myself on the way back from passing the ESVA and without number plates, I can vouch for this being correct as they reluctantly let me go home after I pointed it out to them! :D (Although they still like to get the last word in, like "if we see you again you'll be nicked!) :rolleyes: