Japanese car imports

[Al-Stracyznski]

I need a bit of help and guidance with UK customs.
I'm in the process of importing an engine from the States which is being delivered to Port of London.
How do I get it customs cleared?
Who do I talk to?
How much do it cost?
How long does it take?

[glanma]

Well if the process is the same as for importing a complete car - which in my book would make sense - then your shipping company should handle that and bill you for it. The cars only take a day or two to clear customs, so your engine shuld be no different as long as the paperwork is all in order.

[Al-Stracyznski]

So that'll be landing fees, import duty and VAT...?

[glanma]

That's right - here's a copy of part of the e-mail I received when my car was due to arrive, requesting payment for customs clearance:


[i]Hi Glen

Please note charges now due re the above as follows

L/Charge 170.00

Freight 568.52

Duty 959.59

VAT 1,864.72



Total: ?3,562.83

Please arrange funds into our account [/i]
They also requested a copy of a utility bill for customs purposes, and a VAT number if you're a trade customer (I'm not). Once I had made the payment and sent the requested info, I just waited for confirmation that the car had cleared customs and was available for collection. So the same should apply to your engine or for any other goods come to that. If you are using for example someone like DHL to collect your engine and ship it to you, you'll pay for it all up front bar the customs charges, which will be invoiced to you shortly after. By the way, I'm no import expert - just letting you know how it worked in my case, but I'd expect it to be the same even though you're talking about just an engine!

[MidNite-D]

I would like to know how it does work as it could work out better getting some parts frpm abroad.

MidNite