Planning to Import a Mustang to the UK ?

These are the most common questions I get asked.


What TAXES are there to bring a car into the UK ?

If you are planning to buy a car whilst on vacation, or just want to import a particular model of vehicle, you will have to pay 10% Import Duty on the value of the vehicle plus the cost of shipping. VAT at 17.5% is added to the total.

If you are relocating to the UK after more than 12 months away, and have owned the vehicle for more than 6 months, it may be possible to bring the vehicle in without paying any Taxes. This is called the Transfer of Residence Relief. Please check with HM Customs to see if you qualify.

Who should I use for shipment of the vehicle ?

This is a matter of personal choice and shop around for the best price or service you require. I have used Henry Conrad of AIS Gator Exports twice, firstly in July 1997 via the dealer I purchased the 97 Cobra from, and March 2000 directly when importing the 94 Pace Car. I can highly recommend AIS Gator exports for their competative price, exellent service and commitment to customer satisfaction. Should I go through this process again, AIS will get the business.

What requirements are there to bring a car in as a personal import ?

The DETR rules can be found on their web site. At the time of writing these may well change for vehicles coming in from outside of the EU. Please check BEFORE you plan on buying a car.

Essentially the vehicle needs to be driven outside of the UK, the rules do not stipulate how far. So a gas receipt, insurance, servicing and photographs will do. These will be required by the Vehicle Registration Office (VRO) when it comes time to get your UK Plates.

What testing will my car go through ?

If the car is over 3 years old then it needs an MOT, if it is under 3 years it will need to go through Single vehicle Approval (SVA). The SVA scheme is under review as there are different levels of SVA throughout Europe. You must obtain up todate information before importing your car.

What typically needs changing on American Cars ?

Not too much fortunately, the list is :

Amber Rear Turn Signals
Sidelight Installation
Side Repeaters
Rear Fog Light
Headlamp re-alignment

There may be some other changes depending on the age of the vehicle. If your car is due to go through SVA then this could include :

EU Spec Tyres
Speedo Recalibration
Wing Mirror replacement

NOTE The extension allowing NON-DEFLECTING wing mirrors ends on Dec 31st 2000. The current model year Mustangs do not conform to this requirement. At the moment there is no known alternative.


What is the cost of Insurance ?

You may be surprised to find out that American cars in the UK are reasonably cheap to Insure. It depends on your driving record, where you live, what you do for a living and the type of cover you want.

Companies in the UK that will Insure a Mustang are :

Hill House Hammond, Adrian Flux, Graham Sykes and M C Edwards.

This is not an exhaustive list but they are companies that are competative in certain areas of the country.
NOTE All the Late model Mustang owners I know in my area Insure through Hill House Hammond.

Should I import the car myself or use a firm ?

Having imported a Mustang in August 1997 and again in April 2000, the whole process has got a lot easier.

There is the easy option of buying one from a dealer, but you will pay top price, and beware of bodged conversions !
However, organising a trip, buying and shipping cars is not rocket science.

If you use a reputable shipping agent and get the car on its way to the UK, that gives you about 3 weeks to organise the next part. I have used Ro-Ro twice without problems, this is the most cost effective way of shipping to the UK, expect to pay $700 plust the cost of Insurance.

If you do not have to pay duty then ignore the rest. If you do, you can either book an apointment with HM Customs (be prepared to wait a month due to the volume of Japanese Personal Imports) or use a Receiving Agent.

I used Adrian Montgomery who is the Receiving Agent at Wallenius Wilhelmsen in Southampton. For a resonable charge he cleared the vehicle through customs and completed all the paperwork.

As I was in the US at the time, the money was wired from my UK bank account and Paul Gold collected the car. The paperwork checking and collection took about 15 minutes in total. Even quicker than the hour it took in 1997!

So How can I contact these guys ?

Web Site and email details will follow.


Details on converting the car will follow when I get back to the UK, so expect an update on here by the end of May 2000.

If you have any feedback, on information missing, or found this page of some use please email me.

Here are a couple of images of the Export Rear Lights Available



On the Left is a 94/95 Mustang, on the right is my 97.

This is a side repeater from a Mustang in Japan, I need to know the part number, can anyone help ????

Last updated Thursday 13th April 2000