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The cost of importing a car from Singapore

The total depends on the car, its value and the service you choose. The way the bill is built is the same every time, and every part of it is set out below.

What every quote is made up of

Shipping is usually the smallest part of the bill, so a headline shipping price says little about the total. We quote the whole import for your car, line by line.

In Singapore

Collection: From your address to the loading warehouse. Short, because Singapore is.
Export handling: Getting the car and its paperwork through the port.

Getting it here

Ocean freight: A share of a container, or a 20ft container to itself.
Marine insurance: Cover for the voyage, quoted against the car's value.

UK taxes

Import duty: 10% of the value. Nothing at all under ToR or for a qualifying historic car.
Import VAT: 20% of value + shipping + duty. Nothing under ToR, 5% for a historic car.
Customs and NOVA: Our customs team makes the entry and files the NOVA.

Making it road legal

Modifications: Usually the speedometer to mph, plus any lighting the test needs.
IVA or MOT: IVA under ten years old, MOT from ten. Done in our own lane.
DVLA and plates: Registration, the V5C logbook and UK number plates.

How duty and VAT are calculated

The order matters, and it is where rough estimates usually go wrong. Duty is worked out first, on the car's value. VAT is then charged on the value, the shipping and the duty together. So you pay VAT on the duty, not alongside it.

The example uses round numbers to show the method. They're not our rates.

Try it with your car's value

Worked example

Car's value: £20,000
Shipping (illustration): £1,500
Import duty, 10% of value: £2,000
VAT is charged on: £23,500
Import VAT, 20%: £4,700
Duty and VAT: £6,700

That's more than 30% of the car's value, which is why a flat "30%" guess comes up short.

Reliefs and reduced rates

£0 import duty and VAT

Transfer of Residence

If you are moving your home to the UK after at least twelve months living abroad, and have owned the car for six months or more, duty and VAT can both be relieved. For anyone relocating, it is the first thing to check.

How ToR works Check your dates

Historic cars

Over 30 years old and in original specification, a car may qualify for no import duty and 5% VAT. It's assessed car by car, so we check before you commit.

Returning UK cars

A car that was UK-registered before, went abroad and is now returning may qualify for returned-goods relief. That's why the quote form asks.

Cost questions

How much is import duty on a car from Singapore?

Normally 10% of the car's value. A car over 30 years old in original specification may qualify as historic, which means no import duty and VAT at 5%.

Is VAT charged on top of the duty?

Yes. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the value of the car plus shipping plus the duty, so it is worked out on top of the duty rather than alongside it.

Can I avoid duty and VAT?

If you are moving to the UK with a car you have owned for at least six months, after living abroad for at least twelve, Transfer of Residence relief can remove both. A car that was previously UK-registered and is coming back may qualify for returned-goods relief.

Why don't you publish a price?

Because the biggest part of the bill, the tax, depends on what the car is worth. A headline figure would be wrong for almost everyone. Your quote is itemised for your car instead.

Get a written quote for your car

Send us the car, its value and where it is. Every line above, filled in for your car.

Get a quote

Or call 01332 810442
From Singapore: +44 1332 810442