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How importing a car from Singapore works
Shipping a car halfway around the world involves a lot of steps. It is a well-established route for us, and we handle each stage on your behalf.
Roughly 4 to 8 weeks at sea, then customs, testing and registration at our yard in Castle Donington.
The route at a glance
- Your address, Singapore
Collection
We arrange for the car to be collected and taken to the container loading warehouse.
- Pasir Panjang, Keppel or Jurong
Container
Loaded and strapped into a shared container. A dedicated 20ft box is there if you want one.
- 4 to 8 weeks at sea
The crossing
Marine insurance for the whole voyage, and an online portal so you can see where it is.
- UK port
Customs
Our in-house customs team clears it as HMRC CDS entry agents and files the NOVA.
- Castle Donington
Our yard
Unloaded at our own facility, converted where needed and tested in our private IVA lane.
- Your driveway
UK plates
Registered through our dealer-level DVLA account, plated, then collected or delivered.
Step by step
- 01 Before
Your quote
Fill in the quote form with the car, where it is and why it is coming over. A real person on our team builds a bespoke quote with every line itemised. If you are happy with it, we get started.
Moving back with the car? Tell us. Transfer of Residence relief can take duty and VAT off the bill completely, and it changes how we plan the paperwork.
- 02 Singapore
LTA deregistration
The car has to be deregistered with Singapore's Land Transport Authority before it can be exported. It is an online process now, and we send you a guide so you receive the rebates due to you.
We line up the deregistration date with collection and the sailing, so the car is not left sitting deregistered for longer than it needs to be.
- 03 Singapore
Collection to port
We arrange for the car to be collected and taken to the loading warehouse, ready for the port. Singapore's ports are close to everywhere, which keeps this leg short.
Cars leave through the Port of Singapore terminals at Pasir Panjang and Keppel, or through Jurong Port.
- 04 Singapore
Loaded into a container
We ship from Singapore in shared containers. Your car shares the box with other cars, so you share the cost of the container too. It is carefully loaded and strapped down to keep the risk of damage to a minimum.
Want a container to yourself? A dedicated 20ft container is available. Just ask.
- 05 At sea
The crossing
The voyage takes roughly 4 to 8 weeks. Marine insurance covers the car for the whole journey, and you can follow its progress, with estimated sailing and arrival dates, in your online portal.
Handing it to us means there is nothing for you to chase while it is at sea.
- 06 UK
UK customs
We are fully authorised HMRC CDS entry agents, so our own customs staff make the import entry and file the NOVA, the notification that lets the DVLA register the car later.
It only takes one small error on a customs form to cause a delay. We make sure it is right first time, and that you pay what you owe and nothing more.
- 07 UK
Unloaded at our facility
The container comes to our own premises in Castle Donington instead of a port warehouse. Unloading usually takes about an hour, depending on how the cars were loaded.
We are not driven by speed like a port warehouse. We take as much time and care as the car needs to come out safely.
- 08 UK
Inspection and video
Once it is out, we inspect the car, check the documents, and make a video of it so you can see exactly what condition it arrived in.
This is also where we confirm the modification list for its test.
- 09 UK
Modifications
Singapore drives on the left, so the headlights already suit UK roads. The usual job is the speedometer, which needs to show miles per hour, plus any lighting the test requires.
Every car is different, so we tell you the list up front rather than surprising you with it.
- 10 UK
IVA or MOT
Under ten years old, the car needs an IVA test. We were the first privately owned testing site in the UK and we test every week, so there is no waiting for a government slot. Between ten and forty years old it needs an MOT. Over forty, no MOT is required.
Because the test happens on our site, the car never has to leave the yard between conversion and registration.
- 11 UK
DVLA registration
We register the car through our dealer-level DVLA account, usually within 10 working days. That gets you a V5C logbook and a UK registration number.
If extra paperwork is needed, for an older car for instance, we source it.
- 12 UK
Plates and handover
We fit UK plates and the car is ready. Collect it from us, or we deliver it on an open or enclosed trailer to any UK address.
Not ready for it yet? We have indoor and outdoor storage, and we keep it charged and on the key.
Start your import
Send us the car and where it is. The quote comes back written and itemised, usually the same working day.
Or call 01332 810442
From Singapore: +44 1332 810442