Import new camper-van from EU

thomg12
thomg12 Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited June 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Hello, We are personally importing a camper (new) from Germany, supplied with German export number plates, tax and insurance. In the leaflet I got from the DVLA about imports, the first thing it says is UK residents are not allowed to drive with foreign
number plates! The first thing I have to do is get it from Newcastle to Glasgow. Can anyone clarify or point me in the right directions? 

Thanks Tom

 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited June 2016 #2

    I would contact DVLA for advice.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #3

    Think your ok for upto 6 months

  • dwlgll20
    dwlgll20 Forum Participant Posts: 139
    edited June 2016 #4

    I think the 6 month rule will not apply as I assume it will not be a 'temporary import'. Have a look at the Government website on importing vehicles here. 

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #5

    Yes, but I think that as long as you re register within the 6 months you are ok, mind you it is some years since I imported a car into the UK.  As you are importing the vehicle from another EU country I would have thought there shouldn't be a problem (yet). 

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2016 #6

    Strictly speaking, driving a vehicle on foreign plates in your country of permanent residence amounts to tax evasion, especially as export plates exempt it from tax in the country of purchase. However, I have never heard of an instance where one was not allowed to complete one's journey so long as the vehicle is registered and taxed in its country of import as soon as possible. I am led to believe that there is a period of grace of 3 days, but I can't confirm that. The 6 month period only applies to foreign visitors taking up residence in another country, but not to import into a country where one already lives permanently.

  • Lyke Wake Man
    Lyke Wake Man Forum Participant Posts: 238
    edited June 2016 #7

    ask a motor trader if they can help, they have trade plates    (the ones with the letters in red), the trade plates are taxed so with them on they can drive an un taxed vehicle and one without an M.O.T. so on trade plates it would be legal

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2016 #8

    I have rented a car with foreign plates on it with which I returned back home. The situation the similar and I have always wondered what the position is, but the rental company that gave me the car would presumably have known that it was legal.

  • dwlgll20
    dwlgll20 Forum Participant Posts: 139
    edited June 2016 #9

    Trade plates would not be applicable in this situation. They only cover issues of registration and excise duty and not test certificates (MOT). They are also not being used in the course of the business of the holder of the trade plates.

    If I were thomg12 I would contact an importer as Lutz highlights there are potential revenue issues.

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #10

    It's worth asking on the Motor Home Facts forum as quite a few current members have purchased from Europe.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #11

    I know that if your MOT runs out whilst abroad you can drive your car/MH in the UK as long as you have booked an MOT at the first opportunity.  I find it incredible that if you buy a MH from another EU country (where no import taxes apply) that there isn't
    something in place to allow you to drive your new purchase to your home address to register the vehicle!

  • thomg12
    thomg12 Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited June 2016 #12

    Thank you for your help, I'll let you know how I got on. Cheers Tom

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