How to Notify HMRC When Importing a Vehicle to the UK
When you import a vehicle to the United Kingdom, the first thing you need to consider is telling HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs) about your importation. This involves few but important steps to ensure you comply with the legal requirements and avoid any unexpected fines.
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You have 14 days to notify HMRC after the vehicle arrives in the UK. This timeframe is important, as failing to inform them within this period can result in penalties or fines. Also you cannot register the vehicle until you have completed this necessary declarations.
What Information Should You Provide to HMRC Regarding Your Vehicle?
You have to tell two things:
- The location where the vehicle was purchased: You must provide details about the country of origin or the specific location from which the vehicle was imported. This information helps HMRC track the vehicle’s history and ensures compliance with regulations.
- The region where the vehicle will be registered: You need to specify whether you are importing the vehicle to Great Britain (which includes England, Scotland, and Wales) or to Northern Ireland.
Process:
The process differs for VAT-registered and non-VAT-registered companies. These process require expert customs broker and freight forwarder in order to ensure a smooth and compliant importation.
VAT Registered Companies:
This process involves around Notification of Vehicle Arrivals (NOVA) service. NOVA is online system where you can notify HMRC about the arrival of your vehicle. As a VAT-registered company, you must complete the NOVA notification within 14 days of the vehicle’s arrival. After you’ve made a NOVA vehicle arrival notification, you can see updates from HMRC in your secure communications area.
Non-VAT Registered Companies:
Before HMRC submits a NOVA application, you must complete an import declaration and email it to HMRC. To do this, you need help from a customs broker who is familiar with the process and can guide you through the import declaration requirements.
Email Your Vehicle Details:
- Include the C88/E2 customs paperwork for your vehicle, unless it was imported through the Channel Tunnel or by ferry.
- Alongside this, provide the purchase invoice or sales receipt of your vehicle, or a recent valuation issued by a garage or dealership inside UK.
- Please note, the valuation cannot be an online one. Lastly, ensure to include an authentic document verifying the VIN or chassis number of your vehicle. This could be a registration certificate, title document, or an export certificate.
Bottom Line:
Importing a vehicle into the UK involves numerous regulations and paperwork that can overwhelm those unfamiliar with customs procedures. Navigating this process alone often leads to unintentional errors, resulting in financial penalties, registration delays, or compliance issues. This is why involving expert customs brokers and freight forwarders is crucial. These professionals have the knowledge and experience to ensure all requirements are met accurately and efficiently.