Importing a car from the UK?

GTO · 22nd July 2005, 19:42

Is anyone aware of what the entire procedure entails to import a used car from the UK? Say an early 90's model year sedan?

I would appreciate details on:

1. Duties
2. Eligibility to import as an individual
3. Is there a "carfax" in the UK to check history?
4. Any local tests that have to be cleared?
5. Any other headaches that should be expected?

Thanks much in advance

GTO

EVO6 · 22nd July 2005, 19:57

As far as i know ... You cant import second hand cars into India .. Except if it is via TR (Transfer of Residence) route ...
We cant import on an individual basis ...

Revvmaster · 22nd July 2005, 20:05

Hey GTO

One word of caution. Make sure you don't end up paying any VAT in the UK if you buy a car from there.

BTW as far as i remember, one can individually import a car since 2003. Refresh my memory if isn't so.

Revv

aah78 · 22nd July 2005, 20:17

GTO:
i was looking up procedures to import cars from UK to USA / India and here are a couple of websites which i chanced upon. however, i couldn't find a comprehensive website giving specific information regarding procedures for import from UK, taxes, etc. but there are a number of websites giving bits of information.
many of them deal with NRI's importing cars to India but i guess you can get a few notes off from them.

i think a better option would be to contact the India Customs & Excise Board and get details from them -
Central Board Of Excise And Customs
alternatively, the Indian Embassy in London could provide some light on car exporting procedures from UK.
Hich Commission Of India, London
or the Department Of Transport, UK
Department Of Transport, UK

also, you can refer to these following links -
Indian Embassy, DK - Import Of Car - Valuation Of Car & Duty
indiancustoms - Notification On Import Of Car & Automobile Vehicles (Unofficial Guide)
NamastheNRI.com - Import of cars and other vehicles into India
indiacar.com - Car Imports And Duties - Exim Policy 2001
NRIOL.COM - Import Of Car By NRIs

hope this helps you out to an extent.
ad

EVO6 · 22nd July 2005, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revvmaster

Hey GTO

One word of caution. Make sure you don't end up paying any VAT in the UK if you buy a car from there.

BTW as far as i remember, one can individually import a car since 2003. Refresh my memory if isn't so.

Revv

You can but it has to be brand new and worth about USD 40,000 ...
Check out DGFT site for import rules and details

Ok got more details about second hand import ...
Firstly its possible only thru TR route cant bring on your own ..
Secondly the car has to be pre owned by the same guy for 1 year abroad who is bring it in.. And after importing there is a lockin period of 2 years wherein u cant sell the car till that time ...
Duty on 2nd hand imports is 180%

Cheers

Mad Monkey · 22nd July 2005, 22:22

and age of the vehicle cannot be more then 10 years

Mpower · 22nd July 2005, 22:29

Duty also depends on engine size. Above 1600cc the duty becomes much higher. Dont recall the numbers since they seem to change every year.

moralfibre · 22nd July 2005, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by EVO6

Duty on 2nd hand imports is 180%

You mean 180% on the original cost of the vehicle or the cost at which the vehicle is bought second hand?

EVO6 · 22nd July 2005, 22:46

Depretiated value of a brand new car is considered ...

ajmat · 23rd July 2005, 09:30

You can do an HPI check on the car. Only way a car like that can come in is on TR where the erpson has imported it. Do you really want the hassle? Remember, the enemy is corrosion - either find a good deal here or look to South Africa or Australia for a siilar car in better condition

sriny_blr · 23rd July 2005, 09:37

Hi,
Last year I was into the same exercise and when searching on the net, somewhere i read that If you want to get waived off the duties in india for the vehicle you should be a resident in that country (from where u r importing) for atleast a year and that the car should be registered in your name. and also that you should have not imported any other car in the last three years. and once imported you cannot import another car in the next three years.

Gordon · 23rd July 2005, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by EVO6

Duty on 2nd hand imports is 180%

But you cannot import second hand cars, right?!
Or is the rule discarded now?!

S600BENZ · 23rd July 2005, 10:57

Dude,
Second hand car can only be imported on T.R and the car has to be registered in the country of import at least for a yr in the name of the person importing the car. There is no other way to do it.

EVO6 · 23rd July 2005, 13:16

Gordon,
An indian individual cannot import it ...
But a NRI who has lived and owned that same car in the other country for a period of minimum one year can import provided he is moving back into India ... Since he is transfering his residence back to India ... It is called T R ..

dipen · 24th July 2005, 09:33

So, that means , all the exotics that are spotted at imported car dealers place are bought on TR and the buyer cannot transfer the car in his/her name for 2 years.
How do they bring so many cars on TR, is there any specific check on this or SAB CHALTA HAI, JHOL, of course !!

22nd July 2005, 19:42	#1
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,818 Thanked: 321,406 Times View My Garage	Importing a car from the UK? Is anyone aware of what the entire procedure entails to import a used car from the UK? Say an early 90's model year sedan? I would appreciate details on: 1. Duties 2. Eligibility to import as an individual 3. Is there a "carfax" in the UK to check history? 4. Any local tests that have to be cleared? 5. Any other headaches that should be expected? Thanks much in advance GTO
	() Thanks

22nd July 2005, 19:57	#2
EVO6 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 488 Thanked: 13 Times	As far as i know ... You cant import second hand cars into India .. Except if it is via TR (Transfer of Residence) route ... We cant import on an individual basis ...
	() Thanks

22nd July 2005, 20:05	#3
Revvmaster Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,189 Thanked: 98 Times	Hey GTO One word of caution. Make sure you don't end up paying any VAT in the UK if you buy a car from there. BTW as far as i remember, one can individually import a car since 2003. Refresh my memory if isn't so. Revv
	() Thanks

22nd July 2005, 20:17	#4
aah78 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NYC / BOM Posts: 4,726 Thanked: 3,409 Times View My Garage	websites GTO: i was looking up procedures to import cars from UK to USA / India and here are a couple of websites which i chanced upon. however, i couldn't find a comprehensive website giving specific information regarding procedures for import from UK, taxes, etc. but there are a number of websites giving bits of information. many of them deal with NRI's importing cars to India but i guess you can get a few notes off from them. i think a better option would be to contact the India Customs & Excise Board and get details from them - Central Board Of Excise And Customs alternatively, the Indian Embassy in London could provide some light on car exporting procedures from UK. Hich Commission Of India, London or the Department Of Transport, UK Department Of Transport, UK also, you can refer to these following links - Indian Embassy, DK - Import Of Car - Valuation Of Car & Duty indiancustoms - Notification On Import Of Car & Automobile Vehicles (Unofficial Guide) NamastheNRI.com - Import of cars and other vehicles into India indiacar.com - Car Imports And Duties - Exim Policy 2001 NRIOL.COM - Import Of Car By NRIs hope this helps you out to an extent. ad Last edited by aah78 : 22nd July 2005 at 20:19. Reason: modifying content
	() Thanks

22nd July 2005, 22:22	#6
Mad Monkey BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 274 Thanked: 456 Times	and age of the vehicle cannot be more then 10 years
	() Thanks

22nd July 2005, 22:29	#7
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,399 Thanked: 1,735 Times View My Garage	Duty also depends on engine size. Above 1600cc the duty becomes much higher. Dont recall the numbers since they seem to change every year.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2005, 22:46	#9
EVO6 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 488 Thanked: 13 Times	Depretiated value of a brand new car is considered ...
	() Thanks

23rd July 2005, 09:30	#10
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,175 Thanked: 31,073 Times View My Garage	You can do an HPI check on the car. Only way a car like that can come in is on TR where the erpson has imported it. Do you really want the hassle? Remember, the enemy is corrosion - either find a good deal here or look to South Africa or Australia for a siilar car in better condition
	() Thanks

23rd July 2005, 09:37	#11
sriny_blr BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: BLR Posts: 217 Thanked: 52 Times View My Garage	Hi, Last year I was into the same exercise and when searching on the net, somewhere i read that If you want to get waived off the duties in india for the vehicle you should be a resident in that country (from where u r importing) for atleast a year and that the car should be registered in your name. and also that you should have not imported any other car in the last three years. and once imported you cannot import another car in the next three years.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2005, 10:57	#13
S600BENZ BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 304 Thanked: 12 Times	Dude, Second hand car can only be imported on T.R and the car has to be registered in the country of import at least for a yr in the name of the person importing the car. There is no other way to do it.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2005, 13:16	#14
EVO6 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 488 Thanked: 13 Times	Gordon, An indian individual cannot import it ... But a NRI who has lived and owned that same car in the other country for a period of minimum one year can import provided he is moving back into India ... Since he is transfering his residence back to India ... It is called T R ..
	() Thanks

24th July 2005, 09:33	#15
dipen Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 2,304 Thanked: 971 Times	So, that means , all the exotics that are spotted at imported car dealers place are bought on TR and the buyer cannot transfer the car in his/her name for 2 years. How do they bring so many cars on TR, is there any specific check on this or SAB CHALTA HAI, JHOL, of course !! Last edited by v12 : 24th July 2005 at 10:10.
	() Thanks