Importing a motorhome from Europe
I noticed there were a few old threads on this subject, but wondered if anyone has any recent experience, for example over the last couple of years?
Several years ago I imported a German car from the US into the UK and it was a very simple process, now I believe it might be more challenging. By the way, I have read all I can find on the UK Gov website so my real question is more about the practicality as opposed to the specific legal process.
I'm just looking at all the options which for me might include registering and storing a MH somewhere in the EU and then visiting the UK from time to time, ie. don't import it, just visit. Alternatively, as a UK citizen it might be better to bring the MH into the UK and register it, then visit the EU from time to time. One hassle appears to be the need to change the headlight dipped beam to be able to register in the UK and then I guess use headlamp stickers when going back to the continent.
I particularly want to buy a left hand drive because I plan to spend more time in the EU than the UK. It looks like ownership in Germany, France and other countries may be too challenging due to visas or residency issues. So the game plan is travel for three months in the EU and one month in the UK, then place it in storage. As a Brit, I feel a bit more comfortable registering and keeping it in my home country.
One additional thought might be trying to work with a UK MH dealer to see if they could handle a factory order for me.
Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts on the subject I would appreciate it.
Thanks.
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I know as regards a caravan the rules and hoops you have to jump through have changed significantly. Back in 2007 when it was 1.5 Euro to the pound I bought a new caravan from Belgium and it was a matter of pay for it and tow it away. Post Brexit this is no longer the case.
In 2022 I asked at several dealerships when touring NL. I could find a couple who would supply me, but it basically meant paying full NL equivalent of vat, paying a hefty? import duty coming into UK plus and UK vat. Hopefully if all paperwork was correct it was then a matter of trying to claim the NL vat back.
Whilst stock availability for the caravans I was interested was better in NL, the cost advantage has now gone and the pain in the backside paperwork meant I sourced a van in the UK and its depressed market.
Colin
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I had a left hand drive Nissan Laurel, which had been my husband's company car when he was working in Abu Dhabi and he bought it off the company and shipped it back when the job came to an end. That was in 1987 and I had the car until 2002.
There were no problems with bringing it into the country but as mentioned, the rules may have changed quite a bit since then, but I never had any problems at all insuring it.
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Your first option if you want a left hand drive motorhome is to get your UK dealer to order one and registering it there. Unless he is totally uncooperative there is nothing to stop him from getting one for you. Modern headlights either don’t need readjustment for driving on the left because they dip down and not to the left or they are adjusted manually or even automatically on some vehicles.
The second alternative, of course, is to purchase on the Continent. Without being a resident there you can do so tax free (if it’s a new motorhome) under an export home delivery scheme and drive there for up to one year. If you want to keep the motorhome longer than one year you will have to go through the export process in EU, bring it into the UK and pay UK VAT (there is no import duty payable).
If it’s a used motorhome or you buy new but from a dealer without an EORI number you will have to pay VAT of the country where you buy and apply for a tax refund after the vehicle has left the EU. However, also in that case you must arrange for the necessary export paperwork to be issued at the time of purchase.
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Thanks everyone for your comments, they are much appreciated and certainly more food for thought.
I'm heading over to Caravan Salon, Dusseldorf and will see what some of the vendors have to say on the subject. Possibly once I have a specific MH in mind I'll be able to dig in further.
In the meantime, I've added the dip beam issue to my vehicle check list.
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Sounds like a good idea, I like a list.
I'd imagine the dipped beam situation will be the same as for a car. Our Audi has Xenon headlights and they have a flat beam that does not need any correction. My previous cars have been halogen with a directional beam that did mean correction was needed.
If your chosen MH comes with halogen headlights you may have a mechanical correction facility under the bonnet. Just be warned, some car manufacturers say your beam pattern can be changed, but fail to mention it requires and [expensive] trip to your dealer.
Colin
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