Importing a Classic Car
Importing or exporting a classic car is something many have considered in recent years.
With the internet opening up new buying opportunities, and currency fluctuations making some ventures both profitable and desirable, importing vehicles and shipping them back has become increasingly popular.
After all, there’s a rich selection of classics worldwide, so wouldn’t it be exciting to bring one (or more) home?
Many people focus on Europe; warm, dry climates like Greece and the Mediterranean islands have long been a plentiful source of cheap, rot-free classics, especially considering their depressed economies and low asking prices.
Classic cars are frequently repatriated from Italy and Spain, and many have already moved to neighboring countries where financial conditions are better. But there are still plenty available if you know where to look—just be cautious of sellers with ambitious prices. Today’s market is tough.
Other great options include Southern Hemisphere right-hand drive markets like New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. These regions, with their strong historical ties to the UK, are a rich source of classic British vehicles. In many cases, you can find locally produced versions of well-known cars, often with improved specifications and build quality.
Registering any vehicle in the UK can be a complex and tedious process. At PRIME CAR IMPORTS LTD, our dedicated Vehicle Registration Team offers a comprehensive service to remove the frustration of dealing with the bureaucratic minefield.
With considerable experience in managing all types of vehicles—from vintage and veteran to modern supercars—our vehicle registration service is available to both UK and non-UK residents.
Importing a classic car and telling the story of finding your dream automobile in a remote corner of the world sounds exciting, but it’s not always that simple.
There are several important points to consider. Sourcing and buying your ideal classic car is arguably the easiest part, though even this step can come with challenges, such as verifying you’re getting exactly what you’ve been promised.
Shipping costs for classic cars can vary greatly depending on the shipping method, the import tariff, and the location of the car.
UK registration differs based on the age of your imported classic car; in most cases, the car will need an MOT, tax, and UK registration.
Particularly for cars imported from the USA and Canada, there’s additional work to be done.
You’ll also need the original foreign registration documents, as well as other related paperwork, which should accompany the vehicle.
Make sure you have the customs clearance form from the shipper. If you don’t have it, you can request a copy from the shipping company, as they should have it on file.
While this may seem overwhelming, it’s not an exhaustive list of everything to consider when sourcing and importing your classic car!
However, there’s good news. At PRIME CAR IMPORTS LTD, we specialize in the import of classic and rare motorcars from around the globe.
We have strong connections throughout America and Canada, where we source, validate, and ship classic cars on a weekly basis.
Additionally, we travel across the world to find the finest available classics.
We’d love to help you find your dream car. Whether it’s just an idea for now, a specific year/specification you’re after, or you’ve already found the car you want but need validation—we can assist with sourcing, validating, shipping, or just registering your car.
Contact us to discuss your needs—there’s no obligation, and we’re happy to provide advice to assist you in any way possible.