Welcome to Import American Cars

Here at Import American Cars, we have become experts in providing the very best logistics, import, testing and registration services for customers looking to import cars from the states.

Totally professional, trouble - free service from door to door... Import USA cars are the real deal. Absolutely everything taken care of. Great service and price as per the quotation. Faultless. I would recommend them to anybody

Chris Horsley

I contacted three companies to get my car imported. Two of them cited all kinds of complications and problems. Import cars USA made the whole process incredibly easy and they were the nicest people to deal with. As my name suggests I'm not the easiest to please and these chaps were magnificent.

Laurence Blackall

From the first point of contact i received nothing but professionalism with regards to advice, arrangements and procedures. The communication with this company was first class. What can i say? A big thank you for all the team...

Kevin Willey

We handle the entire process from door to door and are leaders in UK compliance to ensure you have your American car ready for UK roads in the quicker than anyone else!

USA INLAND TRUCKING.

We can collect a vehicle from anywhere in America and deliver to the relevant port or airport ready for shipping or airfreight. The drivers we use are skilled, knowledgeable and punctual. We ship from these ports.

Car safely delivered at 12.30pm today thank you. John and Maria were terrific! I have been suffering with a slipped disc for the last six weeks so couldn’t do much to help. They sorted everything out. All four wheels had flat tyres so they kindly pumped up three and changed the fourth for a spare wheel I already had. They then unloaded the car and put it in the garage for me. All very helpful. Thank you very much for an excellent service.

David

AIR FREIGHT.

If you have a vehicle that requires air freight, we are more than happy to organise this and can fly the car to the UK from multiple locations in America. We have flown everything from classic cars to the latest SUVs and handle the entire process during transit.

Well the E Type is home now, living in her bubble after several hundred miles to the Goodwood festival of speed and caused quite a stir in the VIP car park. Thanks for getting her over unscathed, I really appreciate it.

Nigel

CONTAINER SHIPMENT.

Container shipment is the most common way to transport your American car to the UK. We consolidate our shipments, but only ever to 2 cars per container, meaning quicker sailing times and added safety for your vehicle.

Handled the complete process of importing my 2016 Porsche GT3RS, from delivery, making the car compliant through to UK registration with speed and efficiency. They kept me informed and updated every step of the way and i am more than impressed! In my opinion, this is the only company to call to arrange importing a vehicle. A massive thanks to Will and the team for doing such a fantastic job and i will be doing business with you again in the near future.

Jeremy

UK CONTAINER UNLOADING.

We manage and enact your container unloading and transport the vehicle to customs warehouses, ready for customs clearance.

Totally professional, trouble - free service from door to door. These guys are the real deal. Absolutely everything taken care of. Great service and price as per the quotation. Faultless. I would recommend them to anybody

Nigel

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.

As part of our service, we administer the whole customs clearance process with the HMRC, for both tax paying purchases and customers who are moving to the UK and bringing their existing vehicles with them.

I just wanted to thank you and your staff for taking over what became a challenge to me of bringing my car into the UK. I saw your ad on the internet and read the testimonials and presto within a couple of days of talking, things were already underway. I urge anyone to really consider before shipping their car over to UK, to hire Import American Cars to pick up from the US and deal with UK government requirements. They were excellent.

Lesley

VEHICLE TESTING

We have our own IVA testing lane on site, meaning we can control our testing schedules and test your vehicle faster than anyone else. It also means your car does not have to leaveour premises in order to be registered in the UK.

Just a quick message to say what an excellent service. You handled literally everything so well. After seeing the requirements for IVA testing it was a great relief to hand it over to you and have it dealt with so efficiently.

Alan

USA LIGHTING CONVERSIONS.

Our in-house team of skilled Mechanics and Auto Electricians convert your car’s lights using LED technology to comply with UK regulations. We prepare your car ready for our onsite testing to ensure it is ready for UK roads.

I used this company to arrange the full UK registration of my imported car. Their lighting work was excellent and super efficient. Can't recommend enough

Lesley

ONWARDS DELIVERY

Can’t make it to our premises to collect your car? Not an issue, we can deliver your vehicle either as a driven service, open transporter or enclosed transporter to your UK address once the car is registered.

The car arrived at my house this morning and looks and sounds fabulous. A great moment. I´d like to thank you all for help and assistance with shipping, transport, UK registration etc. Everything went smoothly with no problems and really quite swiftly. I will gladly recommend you all to others!

Henrik

DVLA REGISTRATION

We have direct links to the DVLA and a dedicated account manager enabling quick correspondence and fast turnaround on registrations. No other importer has the resource and correspondence that we do.

Brilliant service from start to finish , with limited paperwork available. Import American Cars managed to get my 1962 Land Rover registered with little more than a Heritage certificate, i am now in a position that they have supplied the first registration V5 along with some very nice pressed aluminium age related plates. Job Done

Trevor

ENQUIRE ABOUT IMPORTING YOUR AMERICAN CAR

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We can ship your vehicle from

OAKLAND, California.

HOUSTON, TEXAS.

NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY.

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.

Start to ship your vehicle today

Getting a quote is the first step to start shipping your vehicle back from America. Get a quote today and get the ball rolling!

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Frequently asked questions about shipping...

How quickly can you pick up my vehicle?

We usually pick up your vehicle within a week. Specialist vehicles or very large vehicles may take a little longer as we need to use rarer types of transporters to suit your requirements.

Can I bring over spare parts with my car?

Absolutely, if you are shipping your car back from the United States of America then why not take use of the spare space in the boot of the car? We have a number of customers who have shipped back additional parts for their classics, just incase they need them in the future. Please be aware these are not covered by marine insurance, so if they are of high value let us know and we can organise separate freight for these.

How much tax will I have to pay for my vehicle upon entry into the United Kingdom?

If your vehicle was manufactured in the European Union, you will pay 20% VAT and a flat rate of £50 duty.

If your vehicle was manufactured outside the European Union you will pay 20% VAT and 10% duty.

If the vehicle is over 30 years old, you will pay a reduced rate of VAT of 5%.

These values are based on a current valuation or a recent purchase invoice.

Is my vehicle insured at all times during the import?

Your vehicle is insured throughout each step of the process. Our marine insurance covers you for total loss, with an excess of £450.

How much fuel can be in the car?

As little as fuel as possible – but enough to allow for moving and manoeuvring of the vehicle at the port.

Can a car be shipped with outstanding finance?

Proof of the vehicles ownership and a cleared balance is required before any vehicle can leave the USA.

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What work will need to be done to your vehicle?

We can’t recommend Import American Cars highly enough. Originally, we thought that customising our car for driving on British roads was a matter of getting a quick cover note, adjusting the headlights and joining the queue to get a UK registration over the counter. How wrong we were, the real battle was with the DVSA and DVLA. Our local dealer did his best, by offering to replace the entire headlight system (for some £2000!) but that left one wire dangling, which would not be allowed, even if taped up. He sent us to a small garage near a US Air Force base, which was used to modifying American cars, but they had given up, because of DVSA’s rigidity and constantly changing rules. They pointed us to Import American Cars. Two months to the day after we collected our car from Liverpool docks, Jack had it ready for us, UK-registered, DVSA-approved and licensed. The service that Import American Cars gave us was priceless.

Rev'd Michael Skliros

Most american vehicles need

Rear Indicators

What Needs Changing?

American vehicles often have the indicators integrated into the brake light and they are usually red. We alter this with LED technology to show amber UK indicators with the correct flash rates.

Front Indicators & Repeaters

What Needs Changing?

Vehicles in the United Kingdom are required to have repeaters on the side of the car alongside the front indicators. Most vehicles from the USA do not have side repeaters or need them modifying to meet UK standards.

Headlights

What Needs Changing?

Headlights may need adjusting to ensure that they have a beam pattern that does not blinds other road users and meets UK testing standards.

Rear fog light

What Needs Changing?

Most vehicles from the United States don’t have rear fog lights fitted. However, they are required by law in the United Kingdom. We incorporate them into existing light clusters or add a subtle LED rear fog light strip.

Reverse light

What Needs Changing?

We may have to rewire and reposition your reverse light within existing lighting clusters to ensure all the necessary lighting requirements are correctly positioned for UK standards.

Ensuring your vehicle is compliant in the United Kingdom is important but so is maintaining the classic look of your new american vehicle.

Use the experts to import your vehicle into the UK by getting a quote today... Fill in your vehicle details and we will come back to you with a quote to import your vehicle from America.

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Frequently asked questions about modifying your vehicle...

What if my vehicle does not pass IVA and MOT testing?

If your vehicle requires additional work above what would normally be required to be considered roadworthy, then we will provide you with a detailed remedial estimate for you to sign off.

Can you import all ages of vehicles?

Of course, we deal with pre-war vehicles all the way to the latest muscle cars coming from the States.

I want to keep my car looking authentic, will the USA light conversion preserve the car’s looks?

Our skilled technicians convert the lighting units of your car using LED technology which means the look and feel of your vehicle remains American.

Are you sure you can register my vehicle?

We’ve registered everything from trikes to school buses. The only issues that may stop us from registering a vehicle is it being beyond repair and unroadworthy, or a lack of paperwork that we cannot otherwise overcome using dating evidence.

Will my vehicle need a USA light conversion?

If vehicles are over 40 years old, the customer has the option not to conduct a lighting conversion, it is best to get in touch for a more specific quote.

How long does the process take?

Once the vehicle is at port in the US, shipping it can take between 2-4 weeks. You can expect port clearance in the UK to take a week before either visiting out premises or being delivered directly to your UK address. If undergoing a full lighting conversion your car will be registered 4 weeks after it arrives with us. If it arrives directly to your home and is being registered remotely, it will take 2 – 4 weeks.

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We have helped countless transferring residents to bring their American vehicles into the United Kingdom and we are more than happy to assist.

Transfer of Residency (ToR)

Apply for your ToR and once approved give us your unique reference number.

Import your car

Let Import American Cars deal with the customs clearance and import your vehicle into the UK.

Leave it to us

We'll take care of the entire car importation process on your behalf. Next time you see the car it will be UK registered and ready for collection or delivery.

TRANSFER OF RESIDENCY SUPPORT

Ensuring your application for tax relief for you move is correct and guidance on applying and approval.

Correct formatting and information provision whilst you make your application.

Phone and email support during your application to make sure it is correct.

Concierge submission service if required.

GUIDANCE THROUGHOUT THE MOVING PROCESS

Moving can be stressful, so leave the import of your car to us.

Customs, transport, import and registration advice during the process.

Dedicated account manager throughout your move.

Timely updates on the progress of your import.

TAX FREE CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

Handling the process with UK Revenue and Customs

We make your customs submissions on your behalf.

We clear the vehicles at port customs with full tax relief.

Once cleared we collect the vehicle from port and bring it to our facility for testing.

COORDINATION WITH REMOVALS PARTNERS

We can work alongside your removals partner and deal with your car import.

We can takeover your car import once cleared from port in the UK.

Co-ordination of timescales to suit your move.

We make relevant bookings for testing for your car whilst it is in transit to the UK.

Frequently asked questions about transferring your residency to the United Kingdom

Can I ship household goods in my vehicle?

Yes, as long as it does not impede the ability to drive the vehicle. We will also need an inventory of the items you have put in the vehicle.

Can I bring over spare parts with my car?

How much tax will I have to pay for my vehicle upon entry into the United Kingdom?

If you are a transferring resident and have filled out a Transfer of Residency application which has been approved, you will have no taxes or duties to pay on the vehicle.

Is my vehicle insured at all times during the import?

Your vehicle is insured throughout each step of the process. Our marine insurance covers you for total loss, with an excess of £450.

What if my car is in a container with my household goods?

No problem, we can takeover in the UK and deal with the testing and registration of the vehicle once cleared from port in the UK.

Can a car be shipped with outstanding finance?

Proof of the vehicles ownership and a cleared balance is required before any vehicle can leave the USA.

ENQUIRE ABOUT IMPORTING YOUR AMERICAN CAR

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