Costs
Every line, written down
Your quote itemises everything from the kerb in Hong Kong to the plates in the UK. If it isn't on the quote, you don't pay it. Here's what the lines are, and how the tax is worked out.
What a quote covers
Eleven lines, door to door
- 01 Collection in Hong KongFrom your address to the container-loading warehouse.Hong Kong
- 02 Export and loadingStrapping the car into the container and the export paperwork.Hong Kong
- 03 Container freightA space in a shared container, or a 20ft box of your own.At sea
- 04 Marine insuranceCover for total loss or significant damage on the voyage.At sea
- 05 Customs clearanceLodging the entry as your CDS agent, before the ship docks.UK
- 06 Import duty and VATWorked out below. Often nothing at all if you are moving here.UK
- 07 UnloadingAt our own facility, by our own team.UK
- 08 ConversionUsually the speedo to mph and the rear fog light.UK
- 09 IVA test or MOTOn our own lane if it is under ten.UK
- 10 DVLA registration and platesThrough our dealer-level account.UK
- 11 Delivery (optional)Open or enclosed trailer to your door, or collect it yourself.UK
The tax
Three cases, same car
A £20,000 car with £1,500 of shipping and insurance.
Buying it
- Duty at 10%
- £2,000
- VAT at 20% on £23,500
- £4,700
£6,700
Moving here, with ToR
- Duty
- Relieved
- VAT
- Relieved
£0
A classic, 30+ years
- Duty
- £0
- VAT at 5% on £21,500
- £1,075
£1,075
What keeps the bill down
Port storage is the classic surprise cost on an import. Ours doesn't build up, because the customs entry is ready before the ship docks and the container comes straight to our site.
Testing on our own lane means no waiting weeks for a slot while the car sits in storage somewhere. And because we're customs agents ourselves, you pay the duty and VAT that's due, and none of the add-ons that sometimes ride along with it.
Worth checking before you commit
Questions
About the money
Why don’t you publish a price list?
Because the honest answer depends on the car, where it is, how it travels and whether you are moving or buying. A written quote usually comes back the same working day and gives you the real figure instead of a range.
Do I pay a deposit to get a quote?
No. The quote is free and there is no obligation.
Is VAT charged on the shipping too?
Yes. Import VAT is worked out on the value of the car plus the cost of getting it here plus the duty. That is why VAT ends up larger than the duty.
Can I pay in Hong Kong dollars?
Ask us when you get your quote. We can tell you the payment options for your import.
Tell us about the car.
Make, model, year and where it is. A real person writes your quote, itemised line by line, usually the same working day.