American Import Vs UK Import

seosamh1980

Not sure if this has been a subject matter before but direct me to the old thread if it has.

Has anyone weighed up the all the costs involved from travel to currency exchange when it comes to importing an american classic from either the states or the uk and were there any major pros or cons involved?

Thanks in advance for advice and replies.

Reason for posting this is because I'm torn between a car that's going for 24k sterling and virtually the same car in the states for just under 30k$.

Kevin_Herron

I would usually say that America would be the way to go but in this case I think, it would be less hassle and cheaper to buy the car in England.

The customs duty is based on the valuation of the car and the shipping.
Basically all the money you spent outside of the EEC.
I'm open to correction but I think its 17.5%??

Teddy Daniels

Its 25%.
I hate cars with the controls on the left.

68deville

i would have to say the states would be the way to go,huge choice of motors depending which state you lookin?eg cal/arizona/fl.If at all possible
if you do go that route try ship from eastcoast as opposed to westcoast
as its takes less time to arrive(no canal!)

Max_Damage

California, Arizona, Nevada, etc, all those west coast areas have dry warm air, which means very little rust. However sunfaded paint is a problem though.

PaulK_CCI

Bringing in a car from outside the EU union (which apart from the US would also be countries like Australia, Japan, South-Africa where cars are RHD!, but also some unexpected countries like Switzerland, which is also outside the EU union.) involves having to pay two duties: VAT (@21% on the FULL invoice value of the car PLUS all transport and handling costs!!) and the Customs & Excise duties @10%. Then you have your shipping insurance (!) and port charges and duties, (generally at appprox 3-400 euro's)...

If you purhase in the UK or Europe, it's only 50 euro's VRT !!!

This usually makes the big price difference with cars in Europe a good bit smaller and sometimes even on par, which in turn makes choosing a car in the US a lot more risky than say the UK or Holland, Belgium, France, because with cheap flights you can pop over in a day to check a car out, or even drive it back as part of the experience!!

That's the main reason why I only select cars that are already landed and cleared in Europe, as opposed to trawling the US to try and find that 'bargain', which usually turns out not to be as much of a bargain as you had thought. At least if a car is in Europe, you can always make sure that the car is exactly the way you want it.

seosamh1980

Thanks for all the helpful advice to Paul and all the others.

I may have found another couple of gems that are thankfully based in europe so will be sticking to those.

I found some parts suppliers in the uk and someone local that is very good at body work, thankfully I have a couple of friends that have a flare for restoration and adding finishing touches to an almost perfect car.

Will keep you posted when I take a very well informed plunge .

Thanks again guys!!!

Fishtits

Whatever you decide, get expert local advice on how to deal with the paperwork. VAT, Sales Tax etc are suffered, some can be reclaimed under certain circumstances if the paperwork is right.