buying and importing 150 to the uk
 

hi
i am looking to buy an f150 from the us and import it to the uk. i have not really chosen which one and am finding it hard to find somewhere to buy from that will communicate with me consistantly. does anyone have any ideas or opinions on places to buy, dos and donts and any helpfull stuff. you can email directly at rob@sceniclighting.com.

thanks, i am new to the site and just getting to know my way around

First, welcome to the site robwebber

Here is some things that I know from a friend who used to work in the auto importing industry in the UK.

You can go 2 ways - import the car yourself, which will be much cheaper, but it will be more hassle, or through a dealer (UK American imports for example http://www.americancarimports.co.uk/).
Assuming you go the initial option - I am guessing thats why you are asking.

Buying a vehicle
We have a very reputable dealer on here that will give you a discount as an FTE user. He is located in Victor, New York.
See this thread for more details.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=217560
If you buy the vehicle new, and ship it immediately you should not have to pay US Sales Tax, but you won't be eligible for any rebates that Ford may be offering at that time.

Shipping
Expect between $1100 and $1500 for RORO (Roll on, Roll off). Shipping inside a container will provide a greater piece of mind, but apparently it costs a lot more dollars - and therefore isn't really worthwhile.
You need insurance, expect to pay around 1.5% of the cars total value for insurance. When insuring it, make sure it is insured at all times - not just when it is on the boat for example. Some shipping companies will include insurance in thier shipping costs.

Shipping companies I have heard good things about.
Allworld Removals - Boston (www.allworldremovals.com)
AutoXport USA - New York (www.autoxportusa.com)
Ozark Auto Transportation - Springdale (www.movecar.com)

Customs.
Your shipping company should organise the customs on the US side (ensure they do when you get a quote). You will need to provide that you are the title holder of the vehicle for it (i.e. You paid the full amount for the vehicle). US customs will probably require the vehicle for about a week.
For the UK customs you will need to pay for a 10%duty tax (well thats what it is for cars, it may be different for a commercial vehicle). This will be based on what you paid for the vehicle AND the shipping costs AND insurance (you will need to provide documents to confirm all 3). Then you will need to pay the 17.5% VAT on top of that (as in the 17.5% is based on the vehicle cost + shipping + insurance + duty tax).
You can get around both the duty and the VAT if you have lived in the US for 6 months and used the vehicle in that time.
You will need to provide proof of living in the US, and registration, and insurance reciepts etc. for the vehicle. If you claim that you lived in the US for 6 months with the vehicle, and customs finds out otherwise, they have the power to confiscate your vehicle. You have been warned, but as you can imagine if you do live in the US for 6 months with it, IT is financially worthwhile.

On the UK custom side, you will need to complete a C104A - easiest to complete it before it leaves the US. Customs will also ask you to complete a C&E386 or C&E388 plus the Dept of Transport (DOT) Notice PI1 and leaflet V277 which sets out the legal requirements that you must satisfy before you register the vehicle.
I would suggest making an apointment with Customs for all of this.
For forms apart from the C104A call +44-118-964-4355

You can get the shippers to fill in all the paperwork usually for a small fee.

Modifications
You will need to complete a MOT (Ministry of Transport) test to get an SVA (Single Vehicle Approval ). Speak to someone who knows about these kind of tests before you import the vehicle.
Some of the things that will need rectifying are the tailights (this has been done by a user on here already, so you can do the tailights yourself
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=413976)
Other things such as:
Front indicators are the right colour and have repeaters on the side of the vehicle.
Speedo being in km/h as well as mph
2 companies that know the full details are:
www.americanfordimports.co.uk
www.mildenhallautocentre.co.uk

Insurance
Arrange insurance before the F150 gets to the UK, so when it lands you don't have to organise emergency insurance. Speak to your local insurance agent.

Registering:
Check out the DVLA website
Things you will need:
1. The US registration documents.
2. The US bill of sale to prove it is your car.
3. A copy of the customs form that you will receive on entry (either C&E386 or C&E388)
4. Proof of UK insurance
You will need to complete the V55/5 form from your local Vehicle Registration Office.

Other advice:
Fit the car with cheap plastic covers for the seats, floors, gear shifter, steering wheel - chances are the person driving the F150 on and off will be covered in oil or mud etc.
Take cash when you go to pick your car up on the UK side. There will probably be small fee for something you hadn't accounted for and it could be embarrasing
Don't leave anything in your car on the US side - your car will be unlocked on the ship... Things will grow legs.


There are probably other members on here who have done what you are talking about, and can go into more detail, but that should start you off!

WOW Big.... very cool

Just out of curiosity, which F150 would you get? s-crew, 4x4, options etc.

i am after an 2003 or newer crew cab. possably a supercrew or harley...something at the higher end regarding the spec.

I found this, would it be a help?
http://www.americancarvideos.com/abay.htm

My suggestion as regards registering the car would be to speak with somebody at VOSA. I deal with them almost daily and it can be difficult to get them to be open with you, but if you get chatting to the right tester they're fine.
Things you'll DEFINITELY have to change to get the car on the road:
Headlights. American lowbeams dip straight down, whereas ours dip down-and-left. Side repeaters might be required in the fenders. Turn signals will have to be amber on the rear (but many american vehicles are like that now anyway); if your prospective one has red turn signals, you can modify the reversing (backup) lights as they aren't required to be working in the UK, and use amber bulbs. Rear fog lights will be required. A blanking plate will be required in the fuel filler neck (about 22mm iirc) so that an unleaded or diesel nozzle can't be inserted "by mistake" (don't ask. I didn't make it up!).
Oh, and I remember a friend having a problem with american bias-belted tyres at a normal, annual MOT test (not the SVA) so you might look into that if Ford still fit them.
If I were you. I'd go and look at a couple of F-series trucks for sale in the UK one day and take detailed photos for comparison.
Not by any means the full skinny on getting your car registered but I hope it helped.

thanks all for your help...much appreciated

I have heard its better to bring it in via germany now we are all as one, apparently cheaper import duties etc then just drive it straight into the uk,worth checking it out i'd have thought.