How much does it cost to import a car from the USA to the UK?

Total added costs are typically 45-60% on top of the US purchase price. This includes 10% customs duty, 20% VAT, shipping (£1,000-4,000), IVA test (£199), DVLA registration (£55), and required modifications (headlights, speedometer, fog lights).

Do I need an IVA test for an American car?

Yes, if the car is under 10 years old. US vehicles don't have EU type approval, so they require an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test costing £199. Cars over 10 years old or manufactured before March 2001 are exempt.

Can I drive a left-hand drive American car in the UK?

Yes. Left-hand drive vehicles are fully legal on UK roads. You must convert the headlights to a UK beam pattern and ensure the speedometer displays mph, but there is no requirement to convert to right-hand drive.

How long does it take to import a car from the USA to the UK?

The full process from purchase to UK road legal typically takes 8-16 weeks. Shipping takes 2-6 weeks depending on the route, then allow 2-4 weeks for customs, IVA testing, modifications, and DVLA registration.

Is there customs duty on cars imported from America?

Yes. Unlike EU imports, US vehicles attract 10% customs duty on the customs value (purchase price plus shipping and insurance). VAT at 20% is then charged on the total including duty.

Last reviewed: 24 February 2026 · Read the full USA deep-dive guide

Import a Car from USA to the UK

American muscle, LHD rules, IVA testing and full cost breakdown

On top of purchase price

45-60%

Purchase to UK road legal

8-16 Weeks

For vehicles under 10 years old

IVA Test

The USA is the source for American muscle, classic trucks, and rare US-market variants. There is no UK-US free trade deal that covers used private car imports, so expect the full 10% customs duty plus 20% VAT. LHD cars are legal in the UK but need headlight, speedometer and fog-light modifications.

Estimate your import costs from USA

Pre-set to the movement from USA. 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

UK destinationWhere the car is arriving fromCountry of manufacture / claimed customs originArrival date

“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

Valuation basisInvoice / transaction valueFreight and insurance to UK borderAccessories and customs-value additionsClearance, handling and UK destination costsOther costs outside the tax bases

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

Standard passenger-car importTariff duty rate + 20% import VATPreferential originReduced tariff rate only with valid origin evidenceTransfer of ResidenceOnly after HMRC approval and all conditionsReturned Goods ReliefPreviously exported UK vehicle, strict evidence rulesInherited vehicleOnly with qualifying inheritance evidenceHistoric collector vehicleHeading 9705 classification, not age aloneOther or specialist caseTemporary import, disability, diplomatic, repairs, unusual classification

Confirmed customs duty rate (%)10% is the usual third-country rate for passenger cars. Confirm the commodity, origin and import date in the UK Trade Tariff or with your agent.

4. DVLA registration and vehicle tax

Original registration date anywherePlanned UK tax start dateFuel typeTax period

DVLA Historic Vehicle tax class (separate 40-year rule; not the same as HMRC’s collector classification) Exempt from the £55 DVLA fee — for example, previously UK-registered or another listed exemption

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 USA

No UK-US trade deal — budget for the full 10% duty + 20% VAT.
Cars under 10 years old need a full IVA test (£199) — LHD is allowed but lighting must be converted.
US titles must often be notarised and apostilled for DVLA.
Shipping from the US takes 8-16 weeks by RoRo or container.

Popular imports from USA

Ford MustangChevrolet CorvetteFord F-150Jeep WranglerTesla Model S

Read the complete USA 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

How much does it cost to import a car from the USA to the UK?: Total added costs are typically 45-60% on top of the US purchase price. This includes 10% customs duty, 20% VAT, shipping (£1,000-4,000), IVA test (£199), DVLA registration (£55), and required modifications (headlights, speedometer, fog lights).
Do I need an IVA test for an American car?: Yes, if the car is under 10 years old. US vehicles don't have EU type approval, so they require an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test costing £199. Cars over 10 years old or manufactured before March 2001 are exempt.
Can I drive a left-hand drive American car in the UK?: Yes. Left-hand drive vehicles are fully legal on UK roads. You must convert the headlights to a UK beam pattern and ensure the speedometer displays mph, but there is no requirement to convert to right-hand drive.
How long does it take to import a car from the USA to the UK?: The full process from purchase to UK road legal typically takes 8-16 weeks. Shipping takes 2-6 weeks depending on the route, then allow 2-4 weeks for customs, IVA testing, modifications, and DVLA registration.
Is there customs duty on cars imported from America?: Yes. Unlike EU imports, US vehicles attract 10% customs duty on the customs value (purchase price plus shipping and insurance). VAT at 20% is then charged on the total including duty.

Apply this to your vehicle

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