2026 UK vehicle import cost tool

UK Car Import Duty & VAT Calculator

Estimate the real cost of importing a car to the UK, including customs duty, import VAT, NOVA timing, DVLA registration fee, and first-year vehicle tax before you send off the V55/5.

Duty and VATNOVA deadlineDVLA paymentV55/5 checklist

UK car import duty and VAT calculator

Estimate customs duty, import VAT, first registration fee, first-year VED, and the NOVA deadline for a UK vehicle import.

2026 V149 rates

Vehicle purchase priceCountry of originShipping costInsurance cost

Import scenario

Standard 10% duty, 20% VAT0% duty with valid origin proofTransfer of Residence reliefHistoric collector vehicle estimate

Arrival date in the UKPort, agent, and handling feesCO2 emissions for first-year VEDFuel type

Include DVLA first registration feeShow expensive car supplement note

Cost breakdown

Enter a purchase price and country of origin to see the import estimate.

NOVA deadline

Enter arrival date

HMRC normally expects notification within 14 days of the vehicle arriving in the UK.

V55/5 checklist

NOVA acknowledgement or HMRC notification reference
Foreign registration certificate and proof of ownership
Evidence of vehicle approval, MOT, or exemption
Insurance certificate using the VIN or chassis number
Completed V55/5 form and DVLA payment

Complete the V55/5 form

This is an estimate for planning. HMRC classification, valuation, preferential origin evidence, relief claims, and DVLA tax class decisions can change the final amount.

How the estimate works

The customs value is the vehicle price plus shipping and insurance. Duty is applied to that value, then import VAT is estimated on the customs value plus duty. Port, agent, DVLA and VED costs are shown separately so you can see what is due at each stage.

When duty can be lower

Some vehicles may qualify for 0% duty under preferential origin rules, Transfer of Residence relief, or historic vehicle treatment. The calculator includes these scenarios, but HMRC evidence requirements still decide the final amount.

After the vehicle arrives

You normally need to notify HMRC through NOVA, get approval or MOT evidence where required, insure the vehicle, then register and tax it with DVLA using the V55/5.

Ready to complete the V55/5?

Once you know the likely tax and registration payment, use V55/5 to prepare the DVLA form with field validation and a clean PDF output.

Start V55/5 form

Official sources used

GOV.UK importing vehicles into the UK GOV.UK vehicle tax rates V149 GOV.UK new registrations fee GOV.UK VAT rates

This tool estimates costs for planning and search intent. It does not replace a customs declaration, tariff classification decision, HMRC relief decision, or DVLA tax class decision.