Importing A Car From UK

[JBA]

Friends, frequent visitors, are coming over in January and are interested in bringing a car to leave here. Where can one find accurate facts about the import rules, process and costs entailed.

Thank you in anticipation!

[wanderer]

They need to be resident i.e rent or own a property in the north
the car has to be under 5 years old unless you have had it since new
The higher the value of the car the higher the tax plus there is a tax on engines
the more cc the car the higher the tax diesel is taxed higher
so a fiesta 1.25 petrol not to bad a Ford Mondeo 2200 cc diesel estate three times as much

[cyprusishome]

The import duties can add up to over 60% of the estimated value of the vehicle, that estimate being made by Customs and none negotiable.

The only place to get full and up to date facts and info is the Customs Department, anything else is opinion of member and may be way out.

Personally, if it is just for occasional use here buy a car here. By the time you pay transport and all the duties and taxes.........

[Philoz]

I agree with the other posters-Unless it is a treasured 'classic' (In which case I think the rules are better) I wouldn't dream about bringing a car here from what I have read on various forums-But I have no personal experience ,so my opinion is based on hearsay.
If you want a car for visitors ,why not just buy a banger here?
There are plenty about,usually driven by henpecked looking chaps with 'be-scarfed' wife and 8 kids in the back,driven erratically.

[ham on brown]

I know a tc who gets his taxi's (merc's) from the uk,so there must be summit in it??.

[Philoz]

Ham-I suspect there are very different rules for taxi drivers,especially if they are local-Most of the cabs here put the battered ruins in the UK to shame.
I often wonder how come most of the taxis here are well specced Mercs that would probably set you back £30-£40K in the UK.
Maybe someone with local knowledge can clarify?

[cyprusishome]

I have seen Mercs all over the Med area used as taxis, think it is only Germany, Uk and USA who treat the as luxury vehicles!!!! They are not cheap to buy and because they must be RH drive the price must have shot up since the ban on importing LH. Only been in one once and the driver was part of a family that had money and interest in several businesses.

I agree with above, as commercial vehicles there must be concessions on the taxes plus they are imported by TC not foreigners.

[Philoz]

Cyprusishome- You are right.
I have seen Merc taxis all over the med too- but they tend to be specifically built as taxis, have vinyl seats,rubber floormats and are very basic,although they outwardly look like a Merc 300/320 series.
The ones I have been in here are generally the 'top-end' versions with leather, sat-nav, wooden dashboards and all the extras.
That is the bit that confuses me-maybe they import high mileage cars from the UK on a 'tax-exempt' basis for taxi use only?

[karmels]

Philoz.

Taxi drivers get a free import under their Taxi licence, as do the car hire companies.
All they need to do is go to the UK an buy a top end car from a second hand dealer at a very good price.
They may have some conditions imposed by the Government.

Mel.

[Philoz]

Thank you Mel-That explains it!
I suspected as much.

[niceone]

the car has to be under 5 years old unless you have had it since new

so does that mean I can take my eight year old car over, I have had it since new?

thanks

[karmels]

Niceone.

Yes it does mean you can bring your car in, BUT you will pay the duty on Engine cc plus the price in the glasis guide plus KDV.

Not sure on the spelling, but this is what they will expect.

Mel.