How it works
From the first quote to the day you get the keys. One team the whole way, and you always know who is doing what.
-
You ask, we quote
Fill in the quote form with the car, where it is and what you need. A person on our team prices the whole job with current rates, including the import tax, and emails it to you.
No calculator, no surprises later. If something about the car changes the price, we tell you before you commit.
-
Collection
We collect from your address or dealer and take the car to the loading warehouse at the port. Open transport is standard; for a valuable car, ask for enclosed.
In Europe it is usually road transport all the way. Further afield, the car goes to the port for a container or a RoRo ship.
-
Loading and export
The car is strapped down inside a container, shared with other customers’ cars unless you have paid for one of your own. We arrange the export paperwork on that side.
If you want marine insurance, it covers the car from here until it is unloaded, up to its full value.
-
At sea
Between continents this usually takes 4 to 8 weeks; from Australia and New Zealand, around 6 to 10. We keep you updated along the way, so you are not left wondering where it is.
-
UK customs
We are HMRC CDS authorised agents with our own customs staff, so we clear the car ourselves. We make sure you pay the right amount, with no unnecessary add-ons.
We also tell HMRC the car has arrived through NOVA, which is linked to the DVLA and has to be done within 14 days. If you are moving here under Transfer of Residence, this is where your HMRC reference comes in.
-
Unloading at our site
The container comes to our private facility in Castle Donington and our own team unloads it. That gives us direct control of it from the port and cuts out the waiting at busy port warehouses.
We are not paid to empty boxes quickly, so we take as long as it needs.
-
Testing and registration
If the car needs to go on UK plates, it can go straight into testing on the same site. We run the only privately owned MSVA test centre in Great Britain and one of only seven privately operated IVA centres.
Our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register imported cars within 10 working days.
-
Keys in your hand
Collect it from us, or we deliver it anywhere in the UK on an open or enclosed trailer.
Pick the bit you need, or hand us the lot
Not everyone needs every stage.
- Car already shipped? We can clear it through customs and unload it.
- Driving it over from Europe? We clear it through UK customs once you land.
- Only want shipping? Fine. Registration is there if you want it later.
- Want it on UK plates? My Car Import handles testing and registration on the same site.
Ready when you are
Where it is, what it is and when you need it here. We will come back with a price for the whole job, not just the boat.
Rather talk it through? Call 01332 810442
