Importing new PVC from Germany post Brexit

[CazPaul]

With the extra hassle involved importing and getting a UK dealer to do warranty work I would buy here.

The price difference is the main reason people do it plus the much wider choice of quality vans, who doesn’t want to save 20 grand ish

 

[funflair]

I know some dealers have large new stock waiting to be delivered to the uk but its all on hold due to Brexit slapping another 10% on, it’s something to do with the chassi.

I thought post #18 established that there was no additional 10% tax, and the price lists that I look at regularly have not gone up 10% so not sure where you get this from.

 

[WallyWalnut]

I’m new so please forgive stupidity but all these imported vans or MH’s are LHD or are both options?

 

[Lenny HB]

I’m new so please forgive stupidity but all these imported vans or MH’s are LHD or are both options?

You can order Hymers in RHD, our first one was other makes more difficult. Much better to have LHD as you can sell or trade in any country.

 

[WallyWalnut]

You can oder Hymers in RHD, our first one was other makes more difficult. Much better to have LHD as you can sell or trade in any country.

The majority of my travelling will be in Europe (and outside Schengan as well) so to me that makes sense buying LHD but it’s my lack of previous experience which doubts me the importing process.

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[Lenny HB]

The importing process is very easy, it's insurance that can be a problem. Importing from Germany you normally have to drive home on 3rd party insurance. We have always imported from Belgium & our dealer drives the van to the port & we get cover on the VIN once on UK soil but fewer companies will do that now.

 

[Westbarn1]

I imported my Hymer from Germany on 4/12/20, on German Export plates and with 30 day 3rd party insurance, arranged by the dealer for 350 Euro. I could not get UK insurance, without having a UK reg number, so at the end of 30 days, while still waiting for DVLA registration my Hymer sat at home without insurance, it was a risk, but all sorted now.

 

[Bustup15]

I imported my Dethleffs in 2019 on export plates and with fully comp insurance in Germany and to home via Caravan Guard (based on vin number)
Covered for 14 days, drive to garage for UK test, then vehicle in secure compound until V5 arrived.

Expensive for 1st year but worth it to me to provide the required cover.

 

[Westbarn1]

I imported my Dethleffs in 2019 on export plates and with fully comp insurance in Germany and to home via Caravan Guard (based on vin number)
Covered for 14 days, drive to garage for UK test, then vehicle in secure compound until V5 arrived.

Expensive for 1st year but worth it to me to provide the required cover.

Tried Caravan Guard, didn't want to know, maybe things have changed....surprise!

 

[jezport]

The price difference is the main reason people do it plus the much wider choice of quality vans, who doesn’t want to save 20 grand ish

When I bought my van the deal I got was just as good as I could get in Germany taking into account all the travel and import expense. Not to mention the extra work and time involved.

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[Lenny HB]

When I bought my van the deal I got was just as good as I could get in Germany taking into account all the travel and import expense. Not to mention the extra work and time involved.

The current van we got 20% discount (10% , more than in UK) and 12 grand more for our trade in than we could have got in the UK. What's not to like about importing.
Not much Hassle drove over swapped vans drove back the next day.

 

[Westbarn1]

The current van we got 20% discount (10% , more than in UK) and 12 grand more for our trade in than we could have got in the UK. What's not to like about importing.
Not much Hassle drove over swapped vans drove back the next day.

Next time I change I'm going to the same place as you Lenny, they are doing my Damp check in June too, couldn't get it done in UK before August! And then most of the UK Hymer dealers didn't want to know "" Did you buy it from us Sir?"

 

[bellabee]

We researched what we wanted, drove to the Continent in our previous, LHD Hymer, traded it in, and drove home in the new one.
Not a lot of hassle, an enjoyable experience, in fact, and a substantial saving in money.

With the previous Hymer, we again did our research, ordered from a German dealer, took a couple of cheap flights and were picked up by the dealer at Disseldorf airport. Then drove the new van the relatively short distance to Rotterdam to bring it home. The exchange rate at that time, was €1.44 to the £..

 

[Thedriver]

We researched what we wanted, drove to the Continent in our previous, LHD Hymer, traded it in, and drove home in the new one.
Not a lot of hassle, an enjoyable experience, in fact, and a substantial saving in money.

With the previous Hymer, we again did our research, ordered from a German dealer, took a couple of cheap flights and were picked up by the dealer at Disseldorf airport. Then drove the new van the relatively short distance to Rotterdam to bring it home. The exchange rate at that time, was €1.44 to the £..

2015, I guess. Thats when I bought my van from Germany but I jumped in to quick, only got 1.28 to pound. I had done my research and new exactly what would happen in 2016!. The rate has been Shxte since and not much better now. Bruce

 

[gerry mcg]

The current van we got 20% discount (10% , more than in UK) and 12 grand more for our trade in than we could have got in the UK. What's not to like about importing.
Not much Hassle drove over swapped vans drove back the next day.

How easy will it be to export a LHD back to the EU now post Brex..? Won’t one have to pay VAT and an import duty again on import of a second hand vehicle into the EU?
That seems to be the situation if one buys a van from the EU - insofar as if it is new, one can buy it VAT free and pay VAT on import into the UK, however now, if you buy a second hand van in the EU, (and VAT has already been paid on it in the EU, one still needs to pay VAT and Import duty on it on import to the UK.
that will surely take the shine of the prospect of selling a LHD back to a dealer in the EU as a PX

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[Lenny HB]

I think its only the UK side that's changed if so it won't make any odds.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Drove mine back 650 miles from Bavaria on 3rd party insurance
It certainly keeps you alert especially when you manage to drive through back streets of a large city to get to a stop for the night

 

[gerry mcg]

Drove mine back 650 miles from Bavaria on 3rd party insurance
It certainly keeps you alert especially when you manage to drive through back streets of a large city to get to a stop for the night

i drove the 300 miles from Dulmen in Germany back to teh channel tunnel on 3rd party insurance German export plates…. i was delighted to find snow on the ground when we woke up at an Aire near Ghent in the morning before getting to the tunnel!.. definitely focuses the mind!!

 

[gerry mcg]

I think its only the UK side that's changed if so it won't make any odds.

I hope so, but i thought it would be the same both ways… so one to research…..

 

[Westbarn1]

I hope so, but i thought it would be the same both ways… so one to research…..

I've thought about this subject too, I bought my Hymer B690 in Germany and imported on 4th December, it was 8 months old and German VAT paid by the first owner, a German baker, who used it for one trip to Italy and then changed it for a bigger version. Now, if I decided to go back to Germany and swap mine for a NEW one I don't think there would be any issues, as I would buy the new one without paying German VAT and would then pay my dues to HMRC importing to UK.
However, if I subsequently wanted to sell the second motorhome back to the EU, at a later date, I think It would be liable to German VAT, or whatever EU country it was sold to, consequently the trade in value is going to be less.

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[Lenny HB]

However, if I subsequently wanted to sell the second motorhome back to the EU, at a later date, I think It would be liable to German VAT, or whatever EU country it was sold to, consequently the trade in value is going to be less.

We don't really know the situation yet but as German trade in values tend to be a lot higher than UK ones if it does apply we would still be a few grand better off than trading in the UK.

 

[Westbarn1]

Well this one is still new to me Lenny, got a trip up North for couple of weeks then long trip in Europe starting next month, to decide if this one is a 'keeper', at the moment I'm thinking its 'too big' for my needs and I'm not sure that I prefer an A class over my previous coach built, so I might be up for a change.

 

[CazPaul]

It’s buying used from abroad that is the confusing bit and whether if it’s 6 months old and over 6000km you pay vat when importing into the UK?

 

[Westbarn1]

It’s buying used from abroad that is the confusing bit and whether if it’s 6 months old and over 6000km you pay vat when importing into the UK?

As far as I'm aware, the 6month/6000km numbers were/are an EU ruling, in that under that, the vehicle was still regarded as 'new'
After Dec 31st, for the UK, obviously a few things have changed and HMRC appears to be taxing 2nd hand and new imports alike.

 

[CazPaul]

As far as I'm aware, the 6month/6000km numbers were/are an EU ruling, in that under that, the vehicle was still regarded as 'new'
After Dec 31st, for the UK, obviously a few things have changed and HMRC appears to be taxing 2nd hand and new imports alike.

Yes that’s a massive change if that’s correct on second hand vehicles imported.

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[Lenny HB]

Yes that’s a massive change if that’s correct on second hand vehicles imported.

It does appear to be so but we won't really know until someone is brave enough to import a used van.

 

[New Street]

This may have already been said. You will pay their VAT before they will deliver. You then pay our VAT and register. They will they refund their VAT. You just need the VAT cash value spare for a period of time to make it happen.

 

[Lenny HB]

This may have already been said. You will pay their VAT before they will deliver. You then pay our VAT and register. They will they refund their VAT. You just need the VAT cash value spare for a period of time to make it happen.

Under the new HMRC guidelines that only applies to new vehicles, used ones really depends on the good will of the dealer and how much VAT is on the sale. VAT on a used vehicle being just on the dealers profit under EU VAT rules is optional they can charge 20% on the full amount. It's a bit of a minefield. Certainly no chance of getting the VAT back if you buy privately.

 

[New Street]

Sorry I have no knowledge of used motorhome imports.

 

[Lenny HB]

Sorry I have no knowledge of used motorhome imports.

Until the 1st Jan 2021 there was no VAT liability if the van was over 6 months old & had done 6000 km. Since then there is 20% VAT on imports.

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