Can you import a car from Japan for me?

Yes. We handle shipping from Japan, UK customs clearance and the NOVA notification, and can arrange the IVA test, so you deal with one company from auction to registration.

The Notification of Vehicle Arrivals. HMRC must be told within 14 days that an imported vehicle has arrived, and the DVLA won't register it without the NOVA.

Does an imported car need an IVA test?

Cars under 10 years old that aren't approved for the UK usually need an Individual Vehicle Approval before registration. Older cars generally need an MOT instead.

Should I ship roll-on roll-off or in a container?

RoRo is usually cheaper for running vehicles. A container is better for classic or high-value cars, non-runners, or when you want to ship personal goods alongside.

What duty do I pay on an imported car?

It depends on where the car was built. Japanese-built cars can qualify for 0% duty under the UK–Japan agreement; otherwise the standard rate is usually 10%. Import VAT, normally 20%, applies on top. Classic cars over 30 years old may qualify for reduced rates.

Vehicle import and export: cars shipped to and from UK

We ship cars, vans, motorcycles and plant machinery into and out of the UK, by roll-on roll-off vessel or inside a container, and take care of the customs paperwork that goes with them. We have particular experience importing cars from Japan, including customs clearance, NOVA and arranging IVA.

Roll-on roll-off or container?

	Roll-on roll-off (RoRo)	Container
How it works	The vehicle is driven onto a specialist ship	The vehicle is secured inside a 20ft or 40ft container
Best for	Running cars, vans and plant	Classic and high-value cars, non-runners
Personal items in the vehicle	Not usually allowed	Can be shipped alongside
Cost	Usually lower for a single vehicle	Higher, unless several cars share a container
UK ports	Southampton, Portbury (Bristol) and others	Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway

Importing a vehicle into the UK

Bringing a vehicle in follows a set path. We handle the shipping and customs side and guide you through the rest:

Shipping from the origin port, by RoRo or container
Customs clearance: the import declaration, with duty and VAT
NOVA: notifying HMRC within 14 days of arrival that the vehicle is here
Approval: an IVA test for most cars under 10 years old that aren't UK-approved, which we can arrange; older vehicles usually need an MOT instead
DVLA registration and UK number plates

Duty and VAT on imported vehicles

Japanese-built cars can qualify for 0% duty under the UK–Japan trade agreement, with the right paperwork. Otherwise cars usually pay 10%.
Import VAT, normally 20%, applies on top.
Classic cars over 30 years old in original condition may qualify as historic vehicles, with no duty and 5% VAT.

Importing from Japan

Japanese cars are right-hand drive, often low mileage, and come with auction grading and an export certificate, which makes them one of the simplest imports. Read our Japan to UK car import page and our article on why importing from Japan is easier than you think.

Exporting a vehicle from the UK

We handle the export declaration and the shipping documents. You'll need:

The V5C registration document, and proof of ownership
The vehicle's make, model, year and chassis number
Confirmation the vehicle is free of finance

Before you ship, check the import rules in the destination country. Some restrict vehicle age, require right- or left-hand drive, or need a pre-shipment inspection. Let DVLA know the vehicle has been permanently exported once it's gone.

Plant and machinery

We also ship plant and construction machinery, such as excavators, tractors and generators, by RoRo or flat-rack container. Machinery must usually be cleaned before shipping to meet biosecurity rules in many countries, and we'll need the dimensions and weight to book the right equipment.

Why ship your vehicle with us

One company from origin to registration. Shipping, customs, NOVA and IVA arranged together, so nothing falls between different firms.
Experience with Japanese imports, including the export certificate, auction paperwork and duty preference.
In-house customs team in Essex, so the declaration and NOVA are done correctly first time.
Clear quotes, showing shipping, port charges, customs, duty and VAT separately.
Honest timelines. We'll tell you how long each stage realistically takes, including approval and registration.

What we need from you to quote

Make, model and year, and whether it runs
Dimensions and weight for vans, plant or modified vehicles
Where it is now and where it's going
Whether you'd prefer RoRo or container

Get a vehicle shipping quote. We answer within 4 working hours.

Vehicle import and export