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Last reviewed: 2 October 2026 · Read the full Germany deep-dive guide

Import a Car from Germany to the UK

German export paperwork, origin evidence, LHD approval and DVLA registration

Tax, transport and registration
Quote-based
Compare your actual landed cost before buying
DVLA registration stage
Up to 6 weeks
Allow extra time for customs, documents and approval
Possible TCA duty preference
0% with evidence
Qualifying origin and a valid claim are required

Compare the total cost of bringing your German car to Great Britain before buying. Nil TCA duty requires qualifying origin and a valid evidenced claim; German purchase or manufacture alone is insufficient. Establish customs, NOVA, UK adaptations and the applicable CoC/GB conversion IVA or other approval route.

Estimate your import costs from Germany

Pre-set to the movement from Germany. 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

The country of purchase or export does not prove origin. The car must satisfy the agreement’s product-specific origin rule. Proof-of-origin rules.

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.

What comes after the estimate?

See the DVLA forms, HMRC steps and evidence for this car. We’ll carry your vehicle details and estimate into your registration plan.

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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.

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 11 September 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 Germany

  • Claim nil TCA duty only when the car meets the product-specific origin rule and a statement on origin or sufficient importer's knowledge supports the claim.
  • Agree German VAT treatment and EU export paperwork before paying; export plates do not authorise ordinary UK road use before registration.
  • EU-registered LHD cars under ten normally need a suitable CoC, UK adaptations, garage evidence and documentary GB conversion IVA, not a booked DVSA test.
  • Collect both German registration parts and purchase evidence; confirm the correct HMRC route and processed NOVA before preparing the DVLA application.

Popular imports from Germany

BMW M3Mercedes-AMGPorsche 911Audi RSVW Golf GTI

Read the complete Germany import guide

A 17 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 customs duty importing a car from Germany to the UK?
A car can qualify for nil duty under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement only if it meets the product-specific origin rule and you make a valid preference claim with a statement on origin or sufficient importer's-knowledge evidence. German purchase, registration, brand, VIN or a CoC alone does not establish entitlement. Standard GB import VAT normally still applies, subject to relief.
Can I drive on German export plates in the UK after importing?
For a UK resident permanently importing a car, German export plates do not permit ordinary UK road use before registration and tax are complete. Arrange onward transport from the port and off-road storage. A narrow exception exists for a pre-booked MOT or vehicle approval test; the car must still be insured and roadworthy.
Do I need to convert a left-hand drive German car to right-hand drive?
No. Left-hand drive is legal in the UK. Check UK headlight, speedometer and rear fog lamp requirements and obtain the evidence for your approval route. An EU-registered left-hand-drive car under ten years old normally needs a suitable CoC and GB conversion IVA.
How much does it cost to import a car from Germany to the UK?
Costs depend on the invoice, origin evidence, customs treatment, transport, approval, adaptations and tax. The illustrative shipped-car example in this guide totals £22,139.85 against a £17,000 purchase price, before insurance, storage or contingencies. Replace the example figures with actual quotes and confirmed tax treatment.
What is the NOVA 14-day deadline for imported vehicles?
Tell HMRC within 14 days of bringing the car into the UK permanently. A private individual bringing it in personally contacts HMRC's CARS team; shipped imports can be handled by the agent or CARS team. Any import taxes must be paid before HMRC can make the NOVA declaration. DVLA needs confirmation that NOVA has been processed.
Is a German TUV valid in the UK?
A German HU/TUV report does not replace a required UK MOT. Cars over three years old normally need a current UK MOT for GB registration, unless a supported exemption applies. A qualifying historic vehicle may use the applicable MOT exemption route.

Apply this to your vehicle

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

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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.