Importing new PVC from Germany post Brexit

[Abgs]

Thinking way ahead here …

Looking at a buying a PVC maybe next year, possibly a Malibu. I’d want a LHD which I know I can order in the UK and, surprisingly you get a bit of a discount over a RHD.

I want a LHD as we spend quite a bit of time at our place in France ( in normal times ) and a PVC would be more practical to use as general transport when we are there as opposed to our current A-class. Also I want a LHD because I just do!

However, they are still cheaper in Germany by about 10 -1 5% depending on exchange rates. There also seems to be more unregistered dealer stock available. I’ve imported second-hand vehicles in the past from Europe but that’s a no-go now as I’d be hit with a VAT charge on the invoice value.

So … if I can get a German dealer to sell me a new vehicle VAT free for export I understand that I’d pay the VAT on arrival at a UK port. No problem with that - German VAT is 19%, UK is 20% so only a minor uplift there. I see German dealers offering export services to Norway and Switzerland so I guess to the UK should be much the same process.

What I can’t figure is whether there would be a 10% import duty. I would think not as it’s a German made vehicle so should fall under the EU/UK trade deal’ but it may depend on the origin of the individual components making up the vehicle.

I’m trying to see if there a self-import route rather than paying an customs agent. The logistics can’t be much harder than in the EU days, it’s still: buy vehicle, get it to UK, pay VAT, change lights, speedo foglight etc, get inspection and register it. It is just the extra import duty stage… I think.

The UK Gov website is out of date on this matter. I’m assuming there must be some sort of import code for ‘motor caravans’ which would given me the import duty rate. Does any-one have any ideas where i might find such info online?

 

[CamperManLez]

Suggest you try contacting your nearest customs and excise office, I found them helpful in the past on duties questions. Might have to be by phone only due to the virus. At least they should be able to point you to an information source related to you request.

 

[Lenny HB]

When I looked at the gov site I didn't think there were any changes for new vehicles only second hand ones where you get clobbered for the VAT.

With Malibu's you will only get 10% discount & you can get that from Go European & they will order a LHD for you, so may not be worth the bother of importing.
Not trying to put you off, we have imported every van we have had.

There is a help page where you can send HMRC a message.

Imports and exports: general enquiries

Contact HMRC for help with questions about importing, exporting and customs reliefs

www.gov.uk

 

[Abgs]

When I looked at the gov site I didn't think there were any changes for new vehicles only second hand ones where you get clobbered for the VAT.

With Malibu's you will only get 10% discount & you can get that from Go European & they will order a LHD for you, so may not be worth the bother of importing.
Not trying to put you off, we have imported every van we have had.

There is a help page where you can send HMRC a message.

Imports and exports: general enquiries

Contact HMRC for help with questions about importing, exporting and customs reliefs

www.gov.uk

Thanks, useful info - I'll try Go European first and see what they can offer.

 

[bellabee]

I see German dealers offering export services to Norway and Switzerland so I guess to the UK should be much the same process.

Conditions may be different for Norway and Switzerland. Norway is a member of the EEA and Switzerland of the Single Market.

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[martin2603]

Duty of 10% only applies to used vehicles.

 

[Lenny HB]

Conditions may be different for Norway and Switzerland. Norway is a member of the EEA and Switzerland of the Single Market.

Yes they are in the Customs Union.

 

[ChrisL]

I think the following code covers it, but have a play around with the website and see if a closer description applies.

Commodity code 8703331100: Motor caravans - UK Integrated Online Tariff - GOV.UK

Motor caravans

www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk

 

[Lenny HB]

Still as clear as mud but it looks like there could be a 10% duty if that is the case you would have to pay vat on that it would make importing not worthwhile.

 

[bellabee]

It was with an eye to this, that we imported a new Hymer in late 2017. This one will have to last!

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[ChrisL]

Back in the day (early 80's) I used to spend hours looking through the tariff book for the codes for stuff that people were sending abroad, invariably ending up with the code for "other" because the item being sent didn't quite match up with the available definitions in the book. So much faster now with it all online.

 

[Abgs]

I think the following code covers it, but have a play around with the website and see if a closer description applies.

Commodity code 8703331100: Motor caravans - UK Integrated Online Tariff - GOV.UK

Motor caravans

www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk

That looks like the one ....

Still as clear as mud but it looks like there could be a 10% duty if that is the case you would have to pay vat on that it would make importing not worthwhile.

I " think " it reads

European Union (1013)

Tariff preference

0.00 %

but 10% if not from the EU. I'll call them when I get a moment to clarify ...

 

[Lenny HB]

but 10% if not from the EU. I'll call them when I get a moment to clarify ...

Talk to 6 different people get 6 different answers then go with the majority.

 

[ChrisL]

Personally I think it's fairly clear, just the 20% vat to pay, but always best to call them if you're not sure.

 

[Lenny HB]

Personally I think it's fairly clear, just the 20% vat to pay, but always best to call them if you're not sure.

It was when you click on the import tab it got confusing.

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[ChrisL]

I think I know what you mean, your looking at the all countries 10% duty, but my understanding is that is superseded by the tariff preference of the individual country, so in the case of the EU that is 0% as opposed to say 6.5% for India, 6.3% for Japan etc. A phone call will clear it up. it's been a long time since I was involved in imports and exports and rules and methods change.

 

[bellabee]

Personally I think it's fairly clear, just the 20% vat to pay, but always best to call them if you're not sure.

I do hope you're right.

 

[New Street]

I'm importing LHD new from Germany, should arrive tomorrow. No import tax, just pay UK vat and prove to Germany and they then refund the already paid German vat.

 

[Abgs]

I'm importing LHD new from Germany, should arrive tomorrow. No import tax, just pay UK vat and prove to Germany and they then refund the already paid German vat.

Very useful info - thanks. Can I ask, how did you deal with the transportation of the van to the UK?

 

[New Street]

Import has been arranged by German dealer via a Dutch company. Complicated by Covid but we seem to be managing. Companies like MyCarImports in Derbyshire can manage the whole process.

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[CazPaul]

Import has been arranged by German dealer via a Dutch company. Complicated by Covid but we seem to be managing. Companies like MyCarImports in Derbyshire can manage the whole process.

Which dealer are you using ?

 

[New Street]

Syroreismobile, Dortmund.

 

[CazPaul]

Syroreismobile, Dortmund.

Nice one, they have a lovely selection of PVCs on offer, they are dealers for CS reisemobile and La Strada both quality

 

[New Street]

We've got a La Strada Nova. V excited!

 

[beachwomble]

I hope you'll have more luck than me. I'm trying to import a new campervan but the first dealer I contacted has not replied to a single email. The second, after replying quickly to my first email, has also gone incommunicado.

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[Lenny HB]

You need to talk to dealers who have a track record of supplying Brits.

 

[jako999]

I know some dealers have large new stock waiting to be delivered to the uk but its all on hold due to Brexit slapping another 10% on, it’s something to do with the chassi.

 

[slowdriver]

I imported a La Strada Avanti EB, new, last year during the transition period when the previous rules applied, from a dealer outside Munich. Freizeit- und Caravanprofi Steiner GmbH
Broken Link Removed

I mentioned to the dealer the idea of them not charging the VAT but that was not going to fly, mainly I think because of the reporting issues that gave him. So I paid the German VAT, and then the UK VAT when the vehicle arrived in the UK. Then sent the proof of this UK payment to the German dealer who promptly refunded the German VAT. Whether that same process applies now I do not know. HMRC may be able to clarify. As for getting the vehicle back I had intended to drive it, with all the insurance hassles that involves, but in the end because of COVID the dealer identified a transport company who handled it very efficiently.
BLG AutoTransport GmbH & Co. KG

www.blg-logistics.com

 

[danielf]

Late to this one ...

But if the Motorhome is converted in Germany from the components and base vehicle this would mean EU origin and no Customs Tariff Duty .

UK Vat to pay as per all the above , and the supplier in EU should eithe be able to zero rate the Vat on the sale or put in place a post EU export refund ,

I would talk to supplying dealer about the EU process ...the UK import process seems easy via NOVA System. But I don’t know of any individuals who have done themselves list Brexit - but there seems no reason why you cannot .
Daniel

 

[jezport]

With the extra hassle involved importing and getting a UK dealer to do warranty work I would buy here.

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