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

Import a Car from Italy to the UK

Italian-built cars, origin evidence, and HMRC collector classification

Duty on Italian-built cars
0%
Purchase to UK road legal
2-5 Weeks
HMRC-accepted collector items
5% VAT

Italy is the home of the enthusiast car. Cars that satisfy the UK-EU product-specific origin rule may qualify for 0% customs duty with an accepted claim. Separately, a vehicle accepted by HMRC as a collector item can receive an effective 5% import VAT treatment; age alone is not enough.

Estimate your import costs from Italy

Pre-set to the movement from Italy. 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.

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 Italy

  • 0% duty is restricted to Italian/EU-origin cars — a Japanese car registered in Italy still pays 10%.
  • Effective 5% import VAT only applies after collector classification: HMRC considers originality, scarcity, normal use, trade, value and historical significance as well as age.
  • Italian paperwork (libretto + CDPR) can take weeks to obtain after purchase.
  • LHD headlights and a CoC are needed for type-approved cars to skip IVA.

Popular imports from Italy

Fiat 500Alfa Romeo GiuliaFerrariLamborghiniLancia Delta Integrale

Read the complete Italy import guide

A 16 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 Italy to the UK?
Cars manufactured in the EU qualify for 0% customs duty under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). Italian-built cars (Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Abarth) qualify for zero duty. You still pay import VAT — 20% for most cars, or a reduced 5% for qualifying classics over 30 years old.
How does a classic car from Italy qualify for 5% import VAT?
Vehicles over 30 years old that are in original condition (no substantial modifications to chassis, engine, steering, or bodywork) can qualify as collector's items under HMRC rules, attracting an effective 5% import VAT rate and nil customs duty. On a €15,000 Alfa Romeo or a Ferrari 308, this saves thousands compared to the standard 20% rate.
Can I drive a left-hand drive Italian car in the UK?
Yes. Left-hand drive vehicles are fully legal on UK roads and there is no requirement to convert to right-hand drive. You must adjust or convert the headlights so the beam doesn't dazzle oncoming traffic, and cars under 10 years old must have a speedometer that displays mph.
What Italian documents do I need to import a car?
You need the Certificato di Proprietà (ownership certificate, now a digital record), the Carta di Circolazione (registration document), a bill of sale showing the price and VIN, and ideally a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). The seller should cancel the Italian registration for export (radiazione per esportazione) before handover.
Do I need an IVA test for a car imported from Italy?
Usually not. Cars over 10 years old are exempt from vehicle approval entirely. EU type-approved cars under 10 years old need a Certificate of Conformity, plus a GB Conversion IVA (around £100, paperwork only) if left-hand drive. Classics over 30 years old are typically exempt but may need dating evidence for an age-related registration.
Is my Italian classic exempt from MOT and road tax?
Only if it's over 40 years old. Vehicles built more than 40 years ago and not substantially modified are MOT-exempt and can be registered in the historic vehicle tax class, paying no VED. Classics aged 30-40 years still need an annual MOT (£54.85) and pay road tax, but can qualify for the 5% import VAT rate.

Apply this to your vehicle

We'll start with a car imported from Italy, 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.