- Import duty
- 10% of value
- VAT
- 20%
- ToR relief
- Same as any car
- Shipping
- In a container
Electric cars raise a few new questions. Batteries on ships, charging plugs, software settings. People sometimes assume all that makes an EV much harder to bring over.
It does not. An electric car from Hong Kong goes through the same process as a petrol one: collection, container, customs, conversions, testing, registration. There are a handful of extra details, and this guide covers each of them.
Tax and relief are the same
An electric car is taxed on import exactly like any other car. Import duty is 10% of the car’s value, and VAT is 20% of the value plus shipping plus duty.
As a worked example, a car valued at £20,000 with £1,500 of shipping would pay £2,000 in duty and £4,700 in VAT, £6,700 in all. Our import cost calculator will run the sums for your own figures.
Transfer of Residence relief
If you are moving your main home to the UK, Transfer of Residence relief can remove both the duty and the VAT. The conditions do not change because the car is electric.
Broadly, you need to have lived outside the UK for 12 consecutive months or more, owned the car for at least 6 months before you move, and be bringing it for private use. ToR1 must be applied for through GOV.UK and approved before the car ships. Afterwards you cannot sell, lend, hire or pledge the car for 12 months, and it must be imported within 12 months of your move.
On a valuable EV, that relief is worth a great deal, so check your eligibility early with our ToR checker.
Shipping an EV
Electric cars travel in containers, the same as everything else we bring from Hong Kong. We ship Hong Kong cars in containers rather than roll-on roll-off, because a container protects the car from weather and handling for the whole voyage.
The difference with an EV is the paperwork. EVs need extra declarations for shipping because of the battery. We handle them, so there is nothing extra for you to fill in. You hand us the car and the documents we ask for, and we take care of the declarations alongside the rest of the shipping paperwork.
The car is insured with marine insurance while it is in transit, and it is typically 3 to 6 weeks at sea.
Charging connectors
This is the question to ask early. Check the charging connector suits UK chargers.
Charging standards are not identical everywhere, and they have changed over the years, so the answer depends on the specific car. We will not guess at it here for your model. What we will do is look at it on inspection and tell you plainly what you have and what it means for charging in the UK.
If you are buying an EV in Hong Kong specifically to bring over, ask us before you commit. It is a simple check and much better done before you pay than after.
The same goes for any charging cables that came with the car. Pack them with the car if you can, and tell us what you have. We will look at what suits UK charging when the car arrives, so you know where you stand before you take it home.
Speedometer and display units
UK law requires the speedometer to show mph. On a traditional car with an analogue dial, that can mean converting the dial face. On a car with a fully digital display, the units may simply be a setting.
Tesla is the clearest example. Its owner’s manual lists a Distance option under Controls, then Display, to show measurements in metric or imperial units, kilometres or miles. Other electric cars vary by make and model, so we check yours on inspection. Where the units can be changed in the car’s settings, it is a quick job. Where they cannot, we deal with it in our workshop like any other speedometer conversion.
The rear fog light is checked in the same way as on any car, and fitted or converted if needed.
Testing and registration
An EV under ten years old takes an IVA test, the same as a petrol car of the same age. We run the first privately owned IVA testing centre for passenger vehicles in the UK, at our site in Castle Donington, so preparation and testing happen on site without waiting for an outside slot.
Once it has passed, we register the car through our dealer-level DVLA account, which typically takes around 10 working days.
Keeping it charged while it waits
An electric car does not like sitting flat. If you need us to hold the car for a while, perhaps because you are still finding somewhere to live, we offer indoor and outdoor storage. The car is kept charged and on the key, so it is ready to drive when you are.
Software and connected services
Many electric cars rely on apps and online accounts for some features. These are tied to the manufacturer and the region, not to us, so it is worth checking with the manufacturer how your account and any connected services will work once the car is in the UK. We can tell you what we see on the car itself; the account side is between you and them.
Next steps
If you have an EV in Hong Kong, or have your eye on one, Get a quote with the make, model and year. We will check the details that matter and give you a clear price. We’d be more than happy to help should you need it.
Questions
People also ask
Is the tax different for electric cars?
No. An EV pays the same 10% import duty and 20% VAT as any other car, and Transfer of Residence relief applies in exactly the same way.
Can an electric car be shipped in a container?
Yes. EVs need extra declarations for shipping, and we handle them as part of the job.
Will my car charge on UK chargers?
Check the charging connector suits UK chargers. We will tell you on inspection and talk you through any options.
Can the speedometer show mph?
On a Tesla, yes: the owner's manual lists a display setting to show imperial units, miles included. Other electric cars vary, and we check yours on inspection. Where the units cannot be switched, we convert it in our workshop.
