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

Import a Car from South Africa to the UK

ToR relief for expats, UK-SACUM EPA, RHD and DVLA registration

On top of purchase price
£0 Duty & VAT
For qualifying expat moves under ToR
Export permit to UK road legal
6-10 Weeks
SA drives on the left, like the UK
Right-Hand Drive

South Africa is a strong source for right-hand-drive cars — no steering conversion needed. The UK-SACUM Economic Partnership Agreement can zero out duty for South-African-built cars (several BMW, Mercedes, VW, Toyota models), and Transfer of Residence relief removes duty and VAT entirely for qualifying returning residents.

Estimate your import costs from South Africa

Pre-set to the movement from South Africa. 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

Normally requires 12 months’ prior overseas residence, six months’ possession/use, import within 12 months and HMRC approval before claiming. ToR conditions.

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 South Africa

  • A South African export permit is required and can take weeks — start it early.
  • ToR relief removes duty and VAT for returning residents meeting the 12+6 month rules.
  • UK-SACUM preferential duty only applies to SA-origin cars with valid proof of origin.
  • Shipping from Durban or Cape Town takes 6-10 weeks.

Popular imports from South Africa

BMW 3 Series (SA-built)Mercedes C-Class (SA-built)Toyota HiluxVW PoloFord Ranger

Read the complete South Africa 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 import duty on a car from South Africa?
By default, yes — used cars imported privately from South Africa attract 10% customs duty on the CIF value (price + shipping + insurance), plus 20% VAT on the duty-inclusive total. However, cars manufactured in South Africa (several BMW, Mercedes, VW, and Toyota models are built there) may qualify for 0% preferential duty under the UK-SACUM Economic Partnership Agreement with valid proof of origin, and returning residents can claim full duty and VAT relief under Transfer of Residence (ToR) rules.
Can I bring my car to the UK tax-free when moving from South Africa?
Usually, yes. Transfer of Residence (ToR1) relief gives full relief from customs duty and import VAT on a personal vehicle if you are moving your normal home to the UK, have lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months, and have owned and used the vehicle for at least 6 months before the move. You cannot sell or dispose of the vehicle within 12 months of import. Apply for ToR1 approval from HMRC before the car ships.
Do South African cars need an IVA test in the UK?
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. Cars under 10 years old need a full IVA test (£199), including an mph-reading speedometer.
How long does shipping from South Africa to the UK take?
Roughly 3-6 weeks by sea. RoRo and container sailings run from Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) to Southampton and Tilbury. Add 2-4 weeks on the South African side for the ITAC export permit, police clearance, and SARS customs formalities before the car can sail.
What documents do I need to export a car from South Africa?
You'll need the vehicle's South African registration certificate (NaTIS/eNaTIS), an ITAC export permit, SARS customs clearance for export, a police clearance certificate confirming the vehicle isn't stolen or financed, and a bill of sale or proof of ownership. If you're claiming Transfer of Residence relief in the UK, you'll also want your ToR1 approval letter from HMRC before shipping.
Do I need to convert the speedometer on a South African import?
South African speedometers read km/h only. If the car is under 10 years old, the speedometer must display mph to pass the IVA test — usually solved with a replacement mph dial face or overlay. Cars over 10 years old aren't legally required to convert, but an mph readout is inexpensive (typically £30-150) and strongly recommended for UK driving.

Apply this to your vehicle

We'll start with a car imported from South Africa, 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.