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.
If you are looking for a company that will handle your American car, motorbike, or vehicle import from the United States we are the foremost leader of vehicle imports in the United Kingdom.
We deal with trade companies who import hundreds of American vehicles into the UK each year and private individuals looking to either transfer their residency or simply bring back a classic they’ve dreamt about for years.
Whilst other companies say they’re the ‘leading’ experts in the UK – we are the only company in the United Kingdom to have a private IVA test lane. Your vehicle is modified at our premises and no more than a few feet away can an IVA test be conducted.
We have worked hard, and we are recognised by the government for our efforts in striving for compliant and safe vehicles.
Our ethos is a business is to offer a ‘full service’ import. And we have strived to make that as seamless as possible at great cost to us as a business.
Everything from collection to registration is taken care of to make it a less stressful process for you.
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.
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.
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.
UK CONTAINER UNLOADING.
We manage and enact your container unloading and transport the vehicle to customs warehouses, ready for customs clearance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We can ship your vehicle from
What work will need to be done to your vehicle?
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.
What about classic cars?
Don’t let the modern IVA lighting conversions fool you – we work with vehicles of all ages. With the attractive import duties and VAT, the classic import market is booming and we’re here to help you to get that classic car on the roads.
As classic imports often have a different route to registration here is a short guide as to the process of importing and registering one.
Some of the most popular classic imports range from muscle cars through to pickup trucks like the much sort after Ford 1959 F-100.
If you haven’t already purchased a classic vehicle but would like a second opinion we can advise a little further if required and reach out to our contacts in America for a vehicle inspection.
Once you have the vehicle, the first step to importing your vehicle is getting it here.
The classic car will need collecting and taking to the closest port for shipping. Depending on the value of the vehicle enclosed transport is an option, but we can use standard vehicle transporters to get it to the port.
If you know the vehicle well it is worth noting any quirks about it. This helps the shipping agents to better navigate the starting and moving of your vehicle (sometimes classics have a mind of their own). If the car is a non-runner then it can still be shipped.
On arrival, the vehicle is professionally loaded into a container ready to set sail. We use consolidated shipping to bring the cost down for you but a private 20ft container is always an option. We highly recommend if you want any car classic parts for your vehicle to throw them in the car to save money in the future if there is a known issue with the car or it is a project car.
During the shipping process, your classic car is covered by Marine insurance. More details on that can be discussed with the team at the time of quotation if you are concerned.
On arrival in the United Kingdom depending on the age of the vehicle, and the vehicle itself, you should be entitled to the lower VAT and duty rates (often referred to as the historic import rates). Due to that fact in some respects its one of the best places to register a classic car.
We take care of the process of getting it through customs on your behalf and then deliver the car to you. Unless you would like us to undertake any work.
Most classic vehicles can be remotely registered as they don’t require an MOT which saves you transport costs later on down the line.
That means we can do all of your registration paperwork whilst the car resides with you. This includes any date of build letters or arrangement of government inspections.
Please don’t make you think we don’t like to work on classic vehicles – we’re more than happy for it to be delivered to our premises if you would like remedial work undertaken.
Whilst you won’t need an MOT for a car manufactured over 40 years ago – it does still need to be road legal. We recommend that the classic is taken to a garage yearly for a service to check for any faults. We also detail cars onsite and can securely store it indoors.
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.
GUIDANCE THROUGHOUT THE MOVING PROCESS
Moving can be stressful, so leave the import of your car to us.
TAX FREE CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
Handling the process with UK Revenue and Customs
COORDINATION WITH REMOVALS PARTNERS
We can work alongside your removals partner and deal with your car import.