Import costs Forums

jasp

I have just sold my Hymer, well I've taken a deposit on it and it should be gone by the weekend.
I'm seriously thinking about importing a used Hymer from Germany. I have read most posts on this subject, but just to confirm a couple of points.
As it will be a used model, I don't think I will have to pay any vat on the motorhome. The other costs will be the German export plates and basic 30 day insurance, then the cost of an MOT and registration in England.
Can anyone confirm the above points.

Thanks.

Koppersbeat

Hi
We have just imported from France and the dealer could not provide temporary insurance cover but put us in touch with another customer of theirs in Jersey who got fully comprehensive 30 day cover note from Coversure in Nuneaton who are the brokers for NIG. I read all the posts about not being possible but we did it too and a lot cheaper than our previous firm MCIA.DVLA now charge £50 admin costs plus cost of licence.Cannot see why you need export plates if it is already registered in Germany.We just had temporary French plates provided by the dealer and came back via the tunnel for £61.By far the easiest way as no checks on arrival in UK.Hope some of this helps.

Rapide561

Hi

If the van is less than 6 months old, I belive the VAT is still payable. All the info is on the DVLA website under importing, or call Swansea on 01792 782341

Russell

gaspode · Moderator

Hi Jasp

You're more or less correct in what you're saying. For a van more then six months old you won't have to pay UK VAT - but you will be charged German VAT if you buy it from a dealer. Don't worry about this though as the German dealers always include the VAT in their "windscreen" price so you won't be charged any extra.

Export plates are compulsory in Germany, without these you will not obtain the registration document in your own name which will in turn be required by DVLA to prove age and title when you register the van in the UK. Short term 3rd party insurance is purchased with the export plates. Insurance is available for periods from 5 days I seem to remember. NIG do offer verbally to cover fully comprehensive but will not confirm in writing. I would not personally deal with any insurer who is not prepared to supply cover details in writing before I pay the premium. The insurance problems should be resolved before too long as I believe there is a bill going through to allow UK insurers to offer cover in the EU.

Once back in the UK, alter the lights to comply, take it for an MOT, complete the DVLA & customs import documents, present the documents to the DVLA local office - all done.

Koppersbeat

Hi Gaspode,
I have my 30 day comprehensive cover note and it is obviously in writing and is still valid as I imported 2 weeks ago.The dealer would not let us leave till he had seen it. I am off to DVLA
Portsmouth to reregister tomorrow.It can be done by post but dont want to part with original docs as post is up and down at the moment.

Glandwr

Hi I am thinking of importing too and am aware that I can claim back German VAT and would have to pay UK VAT on a motor home that is less than 6mts old.

However searching mobile.de I see dealers advertising motorhomes 5 and 6 years old and as part of the ad state that "VAT is reclaimable" am I only able to take advantage of this if I made the purchase through a UK VAT registered business.

Glandwr

Hi me again just being thinking re above. If I as a private buyer I can't take advantage of the VAT refund (anybody know?). Presumably a van bought from a private seller would have a price at least 16% less than the equivalent at a dealer. Has anybody experience of buying privately in Germany (I see quite a few advertised on mobile.de)? What are the pitfalls? As our budget would be approx £60,000 16% would combined with a dealers markup margin be a lot of money.

Thanks Dick

javea03730

Hi Glandwr,

I have ikported 2 Hymers over the past few years, one direct from Hymer in Bad Waldsee and the last one in March from a dealer near Berlin. In both cases I was able to take delivery of the vehicle without paying the VAT in Germany, just let the dealers have copies of the payment of VAT in the UK, no problem at all.

You don't have to be registered for VAT to claim it back

Glandwr

Thanks Javea

I was thinking of buying secondhand (about a 2-3 yr old S Class Hymer). It sounds as though you were buying new. I think that if I was buying something over 6mts old I would not have to pay VAT here any way.

Dick

quillo

I imported my MH from Germany last year. I bought it in dealer