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Last reviewed: 3 July 2026 · Read the full Australia deep-dive guide

Import a Car from Australia to the UK

RHD Aussie imports, UK-Australia FTA, ToR relief and V55/5 registration

Of the car's value
~30-40%
Can be far less with FTA origin or ToR relief
Purchase to UK road legal
8-14 Weeks
No steering or headlight conversion needed
Right-Hand Drive

Australia is a strong source for right-hand-drive cars — no steering conversion needed, and the UK-Australia FTA can zero out duty for Australian-built cars with valid proof of origin. Most privately imported used cars won't have that proof, so budget for the full 10% duty + 20% VAT unless you qualify for ToR relief.

Estimate your import costs from Australia

Pre-set to the movement from Australia. Confirm customs origin, evidence, relief and the legal tariff rate before relying on a reduced result, then adjust the value and transport figures to match your import.

UK passenger-car import duty and VAT calculator

Built around separate customs and VAT values, route-specific UK rules, and the official 2026-27 V149 rates. Reliefs and preferential rates are applied only after you confirm the required eligibility and evidence.

1. Import route

“Arriving from” controls Great Britain/Northern Ireland customs rules. “Origin” controls tariff preference: an EU-purchased Japanese-built car is not automatically EU-origin. Some territories have a different customs status from their state, so select the route separately rather than relying on the country name.

2. HMRC value in pounds
Use the invoice/bill of sale and add accessories purchased with the car. If any amount is in foreign currency, convert it using the HMRC customs exchange rate. Do not enter the same freight or handling charge twice.
3. Customs treatment
4. DVLA registration and vehicle tax

Import tax breakdown

More information required

  • • Enter the HMRC customs value or current vehicle valuation.

DVLA payment

More information required

  • • Enter the date of original registration (box 24) — it decides which tax scheme applies.

HMRC / NOVA

Enter the arrival date

Tell HMRC within 14 days of a permanent arrival. Your agent may make the notification for a shipped car. Check the correct route.

Next step

  • Keep the invoice/valuation, freight invoices, origin evidence and customs declaration.
  • Wait for HMRC confirmation that NOVA is processed and tax is settled.
  • Keep the foreign registration document and obtain approval, MOT or exemption evidence.
  • Use the exact DVLA tax class, list price and approved CO2 figure on the V55 form.
Apply this to my vehicle

This is a planning estimate, not a customs declaration or HMRC decision. Exact liability depends on the accepted customs value, commodity code, non-preferential and preferential origin, evidence and relief approval. A result is intentionally withheld when those facts are unresolved.Rules and linked guidance last reviewed 19 July 2026.

Need the rules behind the estimate? Read the UK car import duty and VAT guide or build a complete logistics budget with the car import cost checklist.

What catches people out importing from Australia

  • The UK-Australia FTA only covers Australian-origin cars — Japanese/European cars bought in Australia do not qualify.
  • ToR relief wipes duty and VAT for returning residents who meet the 12+6 month rules.
  • No steering conversion needed (RHD), but headlight aim must be adjusted for UK driving.
  • Shipping from Australia takes 8-14 weeks.

Popular imports from Australia

Holden CommodoreFord FalconToyota Land CruiserNissan PatrolHSV

Read the complete Australia import guide

A 15 min read deep dive covering shipping, customs, NOVA, approval, and the V55/5 form step by step — with real cost examples.

Read the guide

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay import duty on a car from Australia?
By default, yes: 10% customs duty on the landed value (price + shipping + insurance) plus 20% VAT on the duty-inclusive total. However, under the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement, goods originating in Australia can qualify for 0% duty with valid proof of origin — Australian-built cars like Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons may qualify, but Japanese or European cars bought in Australia do not. Check with your customs agent before budgeting for the relief.
Can I bring my car to the UK duty free when moving back from Australia?
Possibly, yes. Transfer of Residence (ToR1) relief lets people moving their normal home to the UK import personal belongings — including a vehicle — free of duty and VAT, provided you've owned and used the car for at least 6 months before the move and keep it for 12 months after arrival. Apply to HMRC for ToR relief before the car ships. You still need to complete NOVA and register the car with DVLA on a V55/5.
Do Australian imports need an IVA test?
Only if the car is under 10 years old. Under the '10-year rule', vehicles manufactured more than 10 years ago are exempt from Individual Vehicle Approval — they just need a standard UK MOT (if over 3 years old) before DVLA registration. Most Australian classics and Holden/Ford muscle cars qualify for the exemption. Cars under 10 years old need a full IVA test (£199).
How long does shipping a car from Australia to the UK take?
Roughly 6-10 weeks on the water. RoRo and container sailings run from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Fremantle to Southampton or Tilbury. Budget around £2,000-4,000 for shipping depending on route and method (container costs more than RoRo), plus time for export preparation in Australia and customs clearance on arrival.
Do I need to convert the speedometer on an Australian import?
Australia has used km/h speedometers since the 1970s. If the car is under 10 years old, the speedometer must display mph to pass the IVA test — usually solved with an mph dial face or calibrated converter. Cars over 10 years old are not legally required to convert, but an mph overlay is inexpensive (typically £30-150) and strongly recommended for UK driving.
What documents do I need to register an Australian import with DVLA?
A completed V55/5 form, the Australian registration certificate (rego papers) showing the VIN and first registration date, the bill of sale or invoice, your NOVA confirmation from HMRC, an MOT certificate (or IVA certificate for cars under 10 years old), proof of identity and address, the £55 first registration fee, and payment for the first year's vehicle tax. Australian documents are in English, so no translation is needed.

Apply this to your vehicle

We'll start with a car imported from Australia, then ask only for the facts needed to confirm your NOVA, approval, MOT, document and V55/5 route.

Apply this to my vehicle →

Primary sources

This guide maps to official GOV.UK guidance. Always check the current source for the latest rules before you submit your V55/5.

v55-5.com is an independent service and is not affiliated with the DVLA, HMRC, or any government body.