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!