[CooperS4us]

Given the attractive currency exchange rates from British Pounds into U.S Dollars (1 BP ----> US$1.88499) I was wondering if any Brit nationals have ever purchased used MINIs in America and imported them back into the U.K.?
Can this be done? Implications/legalities?

Aside from the U.S. spec cars from being LHD, I see that Brits could purchase a "nearly new" used U.S. spec MCS with more standard equipment than the U.K. spec cars for thounsands less than purchasing new or used in the local market.

My '04 MCS is currently up for sale at the www.minimania.com Private Sale listings and I keep receiving offers from people living in the U.K.. I won't list my price here as I don't want to break any rules regarding advertaising, but lets just say that you can get my car for thousands less than in the UK given the current favorable rates for the BP.

Comments?

[aphix]

dont forget youve got shipping and vat, and any other customs charges to pay when it comes from the US, might be interesting just to work out how much it would actually cost to do.

Import a a car to the UK from the US that originally came from the UK

Rob

[CooperS4us]

Quote: Originally Posted by aphix

dont forget youve got shipping and vat, and any other customs charges to pay when it comes from the US, might be interesting just to work out how much it would actually cost to do.

Import a a car to the UK from the US that originally came from the UK

Rob

I think it is very interesting. You guys over there pay near or over US$30,000 (15,700 BP on average) for an used MCS!. You could get an used '04 MCS with probably more standard equipment and low miles for around 12.800 British Pounds on average.

I have no idea on the VAT and customs fees. No wonder Brits are coming here to Florida by the loads!

[aphix]

found some stuff on the net about importing a car form the US to the UK.

Shipping:

In container = $6,600
no container = $1,200

Shipping insurance = 1.5% of the car value

You will need to pay 17.5% tax and customs duty of 10% unless you have owned the car for more than 6 months (and can prove it) and if you are intending keeping it for your own use for at least a year after entering the country. These days you also need to show that you have lived in the US for those 6 months too and the car has been driven. licenced and insured during that time.

So

Price of car
Shipping
Shipping insurance
17.5% VAT
10% customs duty

If i read it correctly.

Rob

[CooperS4us]

Vehicles Imported from outside the EU

C& E 386 - This form is issued by Customs & Excise for a vehicle of any age personally imported from outside the EU

C & E 388 - This form is issued by Customs & Excise for a Customs restricted vehicle of any age personally imported from outside the EU.

C & E 389 - This is a self-declaration form which should be used by VAT registered traders for commercial imports from outside the EU.

BFG 414 - This form is issued to all Customs relieved vehicles, irrespective of age, which have been personally acquired within the EU by British Forces Germany personnel.

For further advice on import duty and tax contact HM Customs & Excise at Dover 01304 224557.


General Guidelines for importing a motor vehicle
Most USA and Canadian design and construction standards will be accepted as being equivalent to Single Vehicle Approval standards. There are, however, two important exceptions in addition to the above left hand traffic requirements.
Most North American cars follow a different convention for the colour of their external lights. Front side lights, and all turning indicators are likely to require modification - including the addition of front side repeater turn indicators.
There are no standards on external projections in North America. Beware of vehicles with features such as "bull bars", non-retracting mascots, and protruding exhaust pipes. Modifications may be necessary for use in Britain.
The following is general guidance on the most common problems you are likely to encounter. It is not exhaustive and you should always seek the manufacturer's advice in relation to individual models.

Left hand Traffic

If your vehicle is left hand drive, it will probably need to be modified or adjusted for use in left hand traffic. In particular:

Headlamps will need to be replaced or adjusted to produce the required dipped beam for left-hand traffic. The alignment requirement must be met without the use of masks, beam converters or adapters unless they are an integral part of an approved headlamp.
For vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1980, at least one rear fog light must be fitted on the centre-line or the offside of the vehicle.
Rear view mirrors must give the required field of view for use in left hand traffic.
Speedometer

Great Britain uses English imperial (mph) as opposed to metric units (kph) for speed measurement. The law requires that speedometers must include a miles-per-hour display. Please note in particular that any modified display must be visible in daylight and in darkness.

Emissions

Vehicles must meet European emissions standards. Please note that petrol-fuelled cars manufactured after August 1992 are required to meet standards that can currently only be achieved by a catalytic converter.

Please note: the Department of Environment, Transport and Regions cannot advise on whether a particular vehicle is suitable for use in Britain. You should always consult the manufacturer or his agent for advice, especially about whether any modifications are necessary and whether they can be made. You should give the manufacturer as much information as possible about the origin of the vehicle so that he can give appropriate help. Ideally, this should include the Vehicle Identification Number - usually 17 characters - stamped on the chassis.

If you are importing or buying a vehicle which has not been type-approved - e.g., one built for a non-European market such as Japan or North America - you are advised to check (before purchasing) with the person or company supplying it that the warranty, servicing arrangements, availability of spare parts, product liability and recall arrangements satisfy your needs. You are also advised to check that your vehicle insurance is valid in such circumstances. This applies in particular to vehicles which have been subject to Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) and imports from outside the European Union, which are unlikely to have been type-approved.

Further information is available from the Department for Transport

Customs Duty and Tax
Motor vehicles imported into the United Kingdom are normally liable to Customs duty and Value Added Tax (VAT). Customs duty is 10% for automobiles and between 6% and 8% for motorised caravans, motorcycles, motor scooters and mopeds. The VAT rate on all goods is 17.5%. Detailed information on customs regulations, as well as specific criteria for receiving exemptions from Customs and VAT payments, is available from HM Customs and Excise Customs Notice 3: Bringing belongings and private vehicle to UK from outside EC.