Japan has long been a popular place to buy cars because their cars are reliable, well-built, and often cheaper than cars made in the UK. To make sure the process goes smoothly and legally, you need to know the rules and laws about importing Japanese cars, whether you want to bring in a new, used, or specialty car. This guide tells you everything you need to know about the steps, rules, and real issues involved in bringing Japanese cars into the UK.
How to Bring Japanese Cars into the UK: The Basics
There are several steps that need to be taken to bring a car from Japan into the UK, from buying the car to making sure it meets safety and environmental standards. There is a set process in the UK that makes sure all foreign cars meet safety, pollution, and roadworthiness standards. This means that it is legal and safe to bring Japanese cars into the country. Taking care of taxes, registration, and making sure the car follows UK traffic rules are also part of this process.
What Kinds of Japanese Cars You Can Bring In
You may be thinking about more than one type of car when you want to bring a Japanese car to the UK. Used vehicles, new vehicles, and specialty or classic vehicles are the most popular types of imports. In the UK, people want to buy used cars, especially Japanese imports, because they are reliable and cheap.
However, prior to registration, used cars must adhere to stringent emission regulations and undergo safety testing. It is easier to bring a new car straight from Japan to the UK than a used car. This is because new cars are often built to meet foreign standards, such as those set by the UK. However, the UK still requires clearance before registering new cars. Japan is also home to a lot of high-performance, luxury, and specialized cars that you can’t get in the UK. The UK lets people bring in ancient cars that are more than 25 years old and vehicles under the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS). This scheme is for vehicles that car owners or fans may be interested in.
Following the rules in the UK
Before bringing a Japanese car into the UK, it’s important to know and follow the rules about importing cars. This includes ensuring that the car meets the technical requirements for UK roads, as well as adhering to safety standards and emission rules. Here are some of the most important rules:
Type Approval for Vehicles
Making sure that a car has passed UK-type approval is an important part of bringing it to the UK. This means that the car meets the necessary safety and environmental standards. The type approval standards may require modifications for Japanese cars not specifically designed for the UK market. The car will have to go through the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) process if it doesn’t meet the European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) requirements. This is usually done for specialized vehicles or cars that have never been registered in the EU before.
Standards for emissions and the environment
Japan is known for making cars that are good for the environment. However, driving a Japanese car in the UK requires it to comply with strict emissions regulations. There are rules about how much carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter a car can put into the air. If the car doesn’t meet the Euro emissions standard, it might need to be changed so that it can pass emissions tests. If a car doesn’t meet the Euro 5 or Euro 6 standards, based on how old it is, it may have to pay more to register or even be turned down.
Changes to the headlights and speedometer
Most Japanese cars have headlights designed to operate on the left side of the road. In order to follow UK traffic rules, these headlights will need to be changed so that they are aimed at the right side of the road. To prevent blinding other cars, this change is necessary. Also, Japanese cars usually have speedometers that show kilometers per hour (km/h), while UK cars use miles per hour (mph). To show both miles and kilometers, the speedometer will need to be fixed or changed.
Change to Right-Hand Drive
Most Japanese cars are right-hand drive (RHD), which is the same as UK law since UK cars are also right-hand drive. If the car is already RHD, you don’t need to make any more changes. But if the car is LHD, you must convert it before registering it. This can be expensive and take a lot of time.
Duties and taxes on imports
There are many taxes and fees that you have to pay to bring a Japanese car into the UK. We determine these by considering the car’s value, shipping costs, and origin. You should know about the following taxes and fees:
Customs Duty: Cars entering the UK from outside the EU are subject to a 10% tax. The tax is figured out by adding up the cost of shipping and security with the price of the car. VAT: The UK charges a 20% VAT on top of the import tax. This is added to the total cost of the car, which includes the price to buy it, the cost of shipping it, and the cost of insurance. You may be able to get a lower VAT rate on a used car if it was already paid for in another country. However, you should check with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to be sure. In addition to import taxes and VAT, you will also have to pay fees for clearing customs. Usually, the customs worker who is taking care of your paperwork will charge you these fees.
Registration and being able to drive
Your Japanese car must be registered before it can be driven on UK roads. There are several steps you need to take to register your foreign car. In order to be eligible, the car must first pass either type approval or IVA tests. This entails a check to ensure the car satisfies UK safety, pollution, and technicality standards. Also, the car needs to pass a MOT test to make sure it is safe to drive. This test looks at many safety features, such as the brakes, lights, tires, and the strength of the structure. Before you can register your car, you need to get insurance for it. This is the law in the UK.
In conclusion
Welcoming a Japanese car into the UK is a thrilling chance to get a high-quality car that might not be easy to find in the UK market. To make sure the process goes easily and properly, it is important to know about the different rules, taxes, and steps that need to be taken. If you ensure that the car meets UK standards, make any necessary changes, and pay all import taxes, you can enjoy having a reliable and unique car straight from Japan. To help you through the process of importing, you should always talk to pros like customs agents, car compliance experts, and licensed imports.
