Importing a used car from the UK ?

Grant

Grant

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a bit of a "spur of the moment" thing - i'm contemplating importing a car from the uk.
anyone have an idea of the taxes / duties involved with the import of a used car ?
 
isnt it illegal? I mean Used JDM cars are a constant issue.
either they drive around with lesotho or Botswana plates or cant be registered here.

just another way were screwed 100 times with all the expensive cars locally.
 
Grant said:
a bit of a "spur of the moment" thing - i'm contemplating importing a car from the uk.
anyone have an idea of the taxes / duties involved with the import of a used car ?
Click to expand...

I did it 20 years ago and there were no duties involved under a 'returning South African' scheme. Not sure if it's still a thing, but worth checking it out with Pickfords or one of the movers.

Something to note, it had to have Km/h on the speedo, either on the inside of the Mp/h or in the digital display. If it's an old classic car it might be an issue. Another thing that we had to 'manage' was that the model we imported was not available here. We picked the closest one to it on the forms and paperwork, but when the a/c blew a year or two later we had to get a new unit imported from VW in Germany at a big cost.
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
isnt it illegal? I mean Used JDM cars are a constant issue.
either they drive around with lesotho or Botswana plates or cant be registered here.

just another way were screwed 100 times with all the expensive cars locally.
Click to expand...

It's not illegal to import cars form the UK. You just need to have certain things complaint as I mentioned in the post above.

Come to think of it, there's a car with a UK plate knocking about Hermanus just now. so no worries on that front.
 
Spizz said:
I did it 20 years ago and there were no duties involved under a 'returning South African' scheme. Not sure if it's still a thing, but worth checking it out with Pickfords or one of the movers.

Something to note, it had to have Km/h on the speedo, either on the inside of the Mp/h or in the digital display. If it's an old classic car it might be an issue. Another thing that we had to 'manage' was that the model we imported was not available here. We picked the closest one to it on the forms and paperwork, but when the a/c blew a year or two later we had to get a new unit imported from VW in Germany at a big cost.
Click to expand...
just checked on the speedo - indeed km/h.
car was imported from japan to uk
 
Grant said:
just checked on the speedo - indeed km/h.
car was imported from japan to uk
Click to expand...

Should be fine than. I'd speak to one of the movers. They'd want to put it in a container I suppose so they'd have all the details.
 
unless its specially adapted or collector or vintage, or a personal vehicle owned in the UK for years,
Importing used vehicles into SA is illegal, even if they match our RHD market,

I just think if you really wanted you import from Japan, and register it in Botswana and drive around with weird plates.
 
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Jet-Fighter7700 said:
unless its specially adapted or collector or vintage, or a personal vehicle owned in the UK for years,
Importing used vehicles into SA is illegal, even if they match our RHD market,

I just think if you really wanted you import from Japan, and register it in Botswana and drive around with weird plates.
Click to expand...

This is a stupid question if it is the case, but have you got me on 'ignore'? I often answer or communicate with your posts but you never reply.
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
unless its specially adapted or collector or vintage, or a personal vehicle owned in the UK for years,
Importing used vehicles into SA is illegal, even if they match our RHD market,

I just think if you really wanted you import from Japan, and register it in Botswana and drive around with weird plates.
Click to expand...
so the car is a daimler double 6
obviously originally british built, then exported to japan, now made it's way back to the uk
 
Grant said:
a bit of a "spur of the moment" thing - i'm contemplating importing a car from the uk.
anyone have an idea of the taxes / duties involved with the import of a used car ?
Click to expand...
Before you even contemplate cost, check if you can get an LOA out of NRCS.
 
Grant said:
so the car is a daimler double 6
obviously originally british built, then exported to japan, now made it's way back to the uk
Click to expand...

Are you the owner? You'll need clearance on that side to prove it's not stolen. There is registration at this side too from SABS iirc.
 
Presumably you've read this?

About importing a second-hand or used vehicle ​

You can only import a second-hand vehicle into South Africa if you have been granted a permit to do so.

The importation of used vehicles is restricted to protect the local motor vehicle manufacturing industry. Permits are only issued under specifically defined circumstances.

Mainly returning South African nationals and immigrants who have permanent residence are permitted to bring vehicles registered in their names into the country.

Other cars that may be imported include racing cars, vintage passenger vehicles, specially designed vehicles and inherited vehicles. More information is available in theimport guidelines on vehicles and components compiled by International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC).

Importing a second-hand or used vehicle | South African Government

About What you should do Timeframe How much does it cost Forms to complete Who to contact
www.gov.za www.gov.za
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
unless its specially adapted or collector or vintage, or a personal vehicle owned in the UK for years,
Importing used vehicles into SA is illegal, even if they match our RHD market,

I just think if you really wanted you import from Japan, and register it in Botswana and drive around with weird plates.
Click to expand...
If the NRCS grant an LOA for the vehicle, import will be allowed.

It is not illegal to import a secondhand vehicle into South Africa, thousands cross our borders in a year on temporary permits.
 
bwana said:
Presumably you've read this?

About importing a second-hand or used vehicle ​

You can only import a second-hand vehicle into South Africa if you have been granted a permit to do so.

The importation of used vehicles is restricted to protect the local motor vehicle manufacturing industry. Permits are only issued under specifically defined circumstances.

Mainly returning South African nationals and immigrants who have permanent residence are permitted to bring vehicles registered in their names into the country.

Other cars that may be imported include racing cars, vintage passenger vehicles, specially designed vehicles and inherited vehicles. More information is available in theimport guidelines on vehicles and components compiled by International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC).

Importing a second-hand or used vehicle | South African Government

About What you should do Timeframe How much does it cost Forms to complete Who to contact
www.gov.za www.gov.za
Click to expand...
i hadn't - thanks
i see a loophole:
Other cars that may be imported include racing cars, vintage passenger vehicles, specially designed vehicles and inherited vehicles.
Click to expand...
an uncle of mine died in the uk - i am one of the beneficiaries of the estate.
his wife is executor.
so . . . executor of the estate purchases the vehicle on behalf of the estate, i in turn "inherit" the vehicle.
 
ChuckMeFarley said:
If the NRCS grant an LOA for the vehicle, import will be allowed.

It is not illegal to import a secondhand vehicle into South Africa, thousands cross our borders in a year on temporary permits.
Click to expand...
problem is since the cars are so similar to the locally available ones here,
people often try to re-register a JDM car here and then it becomes a grey market vehicle,
so aren't they always trying to stamp it out? and make it exceedingly difficult to do this.
 
1) not allowed to import a new car
2) cars older than 40 years are considered vintage / classic
3) if your car is a vintage you're in for 20% tax etc, a normal car per say would be roughly 70-100%

Shipping containers are hellishly expensive since Covid, absolute jump on the band waggon joke.
Depends on the Daimler and age, they go from 1920-2000 odd. If its a 1980's style then stop wasting your time and money and just buy a local Jaguar they're almost identical.

Lets say you spend R200k on a car + R100k shipping container + 20% taxes + vat etc etc = R340,000 - R400,000 I'd have at a wild guess.

Find a local car and have it completely rebuilt to perfect condition would probably be cheaper...

they got good reviews :

Freight Factory - Welcome to Freight Factory | Experts in Vehicle and General Cargo Import & Export -

Freight Factory introduces you to our team who are passionate about all things motorised and shipping cars to or from South Africa.
freightfactory.co.za freightfactory.co.za
 
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