Off topic - importing classic from EU

[Simonpfhc]

Hi all,

Not Etype related in this instance, but still relavent.

I have just agreed purchase of a 1980 Morgan from a dealer in Amsterdam. I plan to drive over with a trailer and bring it back via Calais ferry. The dealer will have notified the local authorities of Export Declaration and will provide me with a bill of sale.

Once back in the UK, I have fourteen days to notify DVLA, pay duty, VAT etc and register the car.

What I am struggling with is, can I just drive through Customs and Border Control at Calais with my bill of sale??
Anyone have any real-world experience of the procedure at Calais??

Help and advice much appreciated.

[rfs1957]

Hi Simon,

Not sure I can help that much, as my only moving-a-car experience was at Caen.

But I can promise you that nobody gives a toss, in my extensive experience with other stuff, including the E-Type at Caen, when you are LEAVING.

Ed - except when you have got two emigrants hiding under the E-Type tarpauline, at Caen, probably given away by their shouting vroom-vroom as they sat happily in your tub, true story.

If you are confident about what you’ve got to show once in Dover, then I wouldn’t worry in the slightest, and those same papers would be more than enough if you ever WERE challenged upon leaving Europe.

Just check for passengers, especially as they often change vehicles once in the hold of the ferry.

[Simonpfhc]

That’s reassuring Rory, thanks.

[Rich70]

I collect my Etype from Gallery Aaldering in the Netherlands in 2019.

I trailered the car back and at arrival in Calais, they were only interested in me having paid for a car with trailer for the crossing. There were no questions about the load. I had an open trailer so it was obvious that I only had a car onboard.

I contacted the DVLA and the heritage group. Turned out that I did indeed have an original UK RH drive car and so I had no VAT to pay.

Just make sure you have proof of sale. I had headed and printed invoices in the glovebox.

R

[Simonpfhc]

Thanks Rich, that’s interesting.

I did indeed get it back from the Netherlands and through border control without any issues whatever. I find your comments about avoiding import tax interesting as when I got the car home, within the large history file was a UK V5 for the car from 1997 with a nice private number plate. I have duly signed and submitted it. On the DVLA site, the car has an export flag set so I’m expecting it to be rejected??

We’ll see……….