Advice on Exporting your Car from the UK

For some, exporting their car from the UK can seem like a daunting task that can potentially put people off the process. Deciding on how long your car will remain outside of the UK will determine the documentation that you use as well as the declarations you make to the UK and overseas customs officials. The following information covers the most common eventualities of exporting your car from the UK and advice on completing this process. Permanent Export If you are planning on exporting your vehicle from the UK permanently you must inform the DVLA. If you are the registered keeper of the vehicle, this can be done by completing section C of the V5 Registration Document that accompanies your car. Once this is received, the DVLA will send you the Certificate of Intended Export (V561) as a confirmation of your car’s registration. Alternatively, if you have a Registration Certificate (V5C) this can be done by completing and sending the purple section of the document (V5C/4). It is important that you have your Registration Certificate with you when you arrive at your final destination so that you can present it to the relevant authority when the vehicle is eventually registered abroad. If you require any further information, this can be found by contacting us or by logging onto the GOV.UK website.

Temporary Export

If you plan on taking your car out of the UK for less than 12 months you must ensure that you take either your V5 registration document or V5C registration certificate with you. If you have lost your copy, you must inform the DVLA by completing a V62 form. It is important that you apply for this document well in advance of your departure, as your replacement Registration Certificate may take up to 14 working days to arrive and even longer if you are not the registered keeper. Please ensure that you have sent the correct fee for this service and have met domestic and international requirements relating to licensing and taxation of the vehicle. If you are taking your car out of the UK for a limited time only, you may wish to apply for a Carnet de Passage to avoid paying a deposit to customs officials at your final destination. If you intend to obtain one of these you are advised to apply for it in advance of travelling as it can take well over a month for the process to be finalised. If you are using a freight forwarder or logistics company, you can normally ship your vehicle without the need of a certificate; however, having this in your possession will significantly reduce your chance of delays at the UK border.

Essential Tips

Besides notifying the DVLA, there are some additional tasks that will be beneficial to complete prior to your departure. These are listed below: • Documentation – Besides the V5/V5C document mentioned previously, you are advised to carry your valid driving licence, a form of photo ID and the vehicle identification number. • Keys – Ensure that you carry your extra set of keys for the vehicle. • Fuel Tank – Fill the fuel tank to at least a quarter full. • Antifreeze – Due to the potential harsh conditions that your vehicle may be exposed to during transit, it is advised to apply antifreeze and, in some situations, rust protection. • Vehicle Condition – Thoroughly clean the vehicle inside and out in preparation for checks that will be made on the car. Ensure that the car is in good working order unless otherwise specified. • Personal Items – Make a list of all personal items left in the car to check off when you reach your final destination. • Additional Preparation – Disable security systems, remove GPS, stereos or any other portable equipment, remove antennae and fold wing mirrors back.

Vehicle History

If you are not in possession of a valid export certificate, customs officials may check if your car has any outstanding finance payments left on it. This is particularly common with new or high value cars. If they discover that it does, they may not grant you permission to cross the UK border without written permission from the finance company. Checking this information before you travel will significantly reduce delays at the port.

International Duty and Tax Requirements

A good freight forwarder will be able to ship your vehicle to anywhere in the world; however, you may be liable to pay import taxes and fees when it arrives. Whilst most freight forwarders can assist you with this, it is your responsibility as the owner to adhere to any import requirements and regulations that the country you’re travelling to requires. Failure to do so may result in expensive fees, delays and potentially the confiscation of your vehicle so it is important to check this before you depart.