Import from Germany to UK

[flymartin]

Just had a quick look at VW Germany and spec’d a Beach Camper with 4motion and silver/blue 2-tone paint. So many options available for people buying in Germany!

RHD was not one of the options obviously.

When the UK was in the EU, people used to order cars in other EU countries and bring them to the UK. But that was before I could afford to ever think about buying a new car or van.

So these days, is anyone doing this to get the better options available on EU Californias? Is it possible to order RHD?

I know there would be import duty and it may be insanely expensive, but want to consider it. The plan is this will be the first and only Cali we ever buy, so want it to be the absolute best fit for us, and happy to explore adventurous ways of getting it..

 

[WelshGas]

Just had a quick look at VW Germany and spec’d a Beach Camper with 4motion and silver/blue 2-tone paint. So many options available for people buying in Germany!

RHD was not one of the options obviously.

When the UK was in the EU, people used to order cars in other EU countries and bring them to the UK. But that was before I could afford to ever think about buying a new car or van.

So these days, is anyone doing this to get the better options available on EU Californias? Is it possible to order RHD?

I know there would be import duty and it may be insanely expensive, but want to consider it. The plan is this will be the first and only Cali we ever buy, so want it to be the absolute best fit for us, and happy to explore adventurous ways of getting it..

Perfectly possible. There are companies that will do this for you or you can do it yourself. HMRC and DVLA have all the information required . It would be bought ex-EU/country taxes and the relevant UK taxes paid. Lights and speedo have to be changed/adjusted for UK regulations. It would have to be checked for compliance in the UK. You will only get the world wide 2 Yr VW warranty however as VWUK will not give the 3rd Yr UK warranty.
You could look at importing from Ireland . The above would still apply but it would be RHD.

 

[Tarquers]

Just had a quick look at VW Germany and spec’d a Beach Camper with 4motion and silver/blue 2-tone paint. So many options available for people buying in Germany!

RHD was not one of the options obviously.

When the UK was in the EU, people used to order cars in other EU countries and bring them to the UK. But that was before I could afford to ever think about buying a new car or van.

So these days, is anyone doing this to get the better options available on EU Californias? Is it possible to order RHD?

I know there would be import duty and it may be insanely expensive, but want to consider it. The plan is this will be the first and only Cali we ever buy, so want it to be the absolute best fit for us, and happy to explore adventurous ways of getting it..

its actually pretty painless. you have to have a certificate of conformity from VW and then have to pay VAT in UK. You will not be able to buy a RHD on the continent unfortunately. Its a bit different if you own it first, and then keep for 1 year, then no additional taxes to pay.

 

[Thebears]

Bought my Beach Tour 14 months ago in Germany. As you say the options list is pretty comprehensive. We got an Edition version which ticked most of the boxes, but deleted the second rear door and got the mini kitchen instead - it stayed as a Tour.
Will be bringing it back to the UK at end of next year as not bothered about LHD in the UK. Done it before with other vehicles and fairly straightforward.
I thought the wait of 5 months for delivery was long then and feel very sorry for all of you who now have an even longer wait. It’s worth it as they are a fantastically versatile vehicle.

 

[Gavin Fleming]

Been a few years since I did it but I can recommend VW Hamburg. They changed to entirely UK spec- lights, fog light, all switches and controls in English. In Germany they’ll sell you export plates with road tax and insurance for 3 months.
Procedure in UK is in DVLA guidance. Takes a few weeks to complete. If you’re worried about insurance some companies will do it on VIN instead of registration.
Good luck.

 

[Anthony1]

Perfectly possible. There are companies that will do this for you or you can do it yourself. HMRC and DVLA have all the information required . It would be bought ex-EU/country taxes and the relevant UK taxes paid. Lights and speedo have to be changed/adjusted for UK regulations. It would have to be checked for compliance in the UK. You will only get the world wide 2 Yr VW warranty however as VWUK will not give the 3rd Yr UK warranty.
You could look at importing from Ireland . The above would still apply but it would be RHD.

A speedo can read kph or mph.

 

[WelshGas]

A speedo can read kph or mph.

I know, but it has to be certified for U.K. use and I believe mph has to be primary marker.

 

[Tarquers]

I know, but it has to be certified for U.K. use and I believe mph has to be primary marker.

There is no “certification”. If it’s analogue clocks you can just add a sticker to the dial face. I know some people have just been able to show the digital speedo as MPH and it’s accepted. Digital dash just change in settings. Nobody checks to see if it’s calibrated.

 

[WelshGas]

There is no “certification”. If it’s analogue clocks you can just add a sticker to the dial face. I know some people have just been able to show the digital speedo as MPH and it’s accepted. Digital dash just change in settings. Nobody checks to see if it’s calibrated.

By certification I mean " signed off " by VOSA or whoever carries out the checks that it complies with UK regulations, as you say a sticker on older analogue and the correct settings on digital dashes, just the same as a rear foglight on the rear off-side in the UK as a minimum or headlights that don't flick up on the off-side in UK if it is to be registered in the UK.

 

[WelshGas]

By certification I mean " signed off " by VOSA or whoever carries out the checks that it complies with UK regulations, as you say a sticker on older analogue and the correct settings on digital dashes, just the same as a rear foglight on the rear off-side in the UK as a minimum or headlights that don't flick up on the off-side in UK if it is to be registered in the UK.

Further investigation shows you , the Importer/Owner have to self certify and provide evidence that certain items, lights or speedo, are vehicle features or have been changed to meet UK regulations . DVLA can request physical checks via certain agencies such as VOSA under certain circumstances
.

 

[Tarquers]

Had another think about this. I paid a good chunk less than German prices for the equivalent van. Have some thoughts about how this could be done for least money/pain. Likely to involve waiting some time for delivery but gets you the spec you want. Happy to show you around a European beach remotely or in person.

 

[B J G]

Just to keep things up to date
VOSA are now renamed as VDSA - Vehicle and Driver Service Agency.

 

[s2bear]

Sorry - bit late to the party on this topic but pretty sure stickers on the speedo aren’t allowed anymore - using a Carista Dongle you can change the MFD to read MPH on EVERY menu page and that’s acceptable. I think the LED light option is now flat beam so that should be ok and on the T6 at least, the LED rear lights had fog lamps on BOTH sides so that didn’t need changing.

In terms of warranty - the last German warranty literature I read (Q4 2021) said that the warranty covered EU and EEA countries AND Great Britain….

I’m just about to take a German OCEAN and the contract says:

Territorial scope

The guarantor grants this guarantee if the vehicle is delivered or registered in the territory of the European Economic Area (EEA, i.e. the countries of the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland. If the vehicle is delivered or registered outside this area, this warranty does not apply.


No mention of GB…. I’ve searched the German VW site to death (and emailed VW Germany) and can’t find the territories mentioned - does anyone know if the German Cali warranty is still effective in GB?

My existing German Cali IS covered by the German warranty in UK dealers but I’m not buying the new one if they’ve deleted cover for the UK.


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[PhilR]

Resale could be an issue!? I’m not 100% happy with my 12 month uk order wait and lack of certain options, but there’s plenty of tweaking I can do once it finally arrives. LHD wouldn’t bother me, but like I say, it surely limits your resale opportunities?

 

[s2bear]

Resale could be an issue!? I’m not 100% happy with my 12 month uk order wait and lack of certain options, but there’s plenty of tweaking I can do once it finally arrives. LHD wouldn’t bother me, but like I say, it surely limits your resale opportunities?

I actually prefer LHD as most of my mileage is overseas but yes you’re right, the resale audience is smaller. In the case of my existing Beach there wasn’t really a choice as I wanted the 204ps 4motion EDITION which wasn’t/isn’t made in RHD. VW UK will sell you a LHD for a £500 premium.


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[Tarquers]

I actually prefer LHD as most of my mileage is overseas but yes you’re right, the resale audience is smaller. In the case of my existing Beach there wasn’t really a choice as I wanted the 204ps 4motion EDITION which wasn’t/isn’t made in RHD. VW UK will sell you a LHD for a £500 premium.


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Is that new on VW selling a LHD in U.K.? I tried a few dealers several years ago and they all said not possible due to type approval in the U.K. market. Makes no difference to me know as have bought in EU but Could open up great options for specs that are not on U.K. list.

 

[SusiBus]

So as Ireland is in the EU, what is available there, and what is the price differential compared with the UK?

 

[s2bear]

Is that new on VW selling a LHD in U.K.? I tried a few dealers several years ago and they all said not possible due to type approval in the U.K. market. Makes no difference to me know as have bought in EU but Could open up great options for specs that are not on U.K. list.

It’s a £500 option on New Cali’s from VW Dealerships in the UK. I was told by the UK dealer I spoke to back in March, that it didn’t mean I could have a Euro Spec Cali from a UK dealer but I COULD have a UK spec one in LHD.


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[s2bear]

So as Ireland is in the EU, what is available there, and what is the price differential compared with the UK?

When I explored this back in 2017, Eire had the same or less options than the UK, ‘Euro spec’ models such as 4M Beach or Edition weren’t available there either.


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[Tomato]

You wont have any issues with MPH speedo, rear fogs or LED headlights. Just make sure you do not pay import duty - just UK VAT. You will need a NOVA declaration for HMRC I suggest you use a shipping agent for this to ensure your IEN and product type are correct and match your NOVA.

My LHD 6.1 now in UK ( German 3 month export plates have expired) Am about to send off paperwork to the skeleton staff at DVLA for registration including the all important COC

 

[Tomato]

Aaah the joy of getting out of the Cali and stepping directly onto the pavement The relaxation of a decent footrest on the left of my pedals. The ease of looking over traffic and the effortless overtaking in Europe. All pleasures denied to so many of my dear UK RHD Cali friends

 

[andyinluton]

I think the LED light option is now flat beam so that should be ok

The LEDs are not flat but are almost flat. There was a thread last year with someone having problems importing a Uk van into Germany due to the lights not being flat & comments from a Polish member suggesting the LHD lights have a slight kick up to the left. The lights have different part numbers for LHD & RHD.

 

[andyinluton]

Aaah the joy of getting out of the Cali and stepping directly onto the pavement The relaxation of a decent footrest on the left of my pedals. The ease of looking over traffic and the effortless overtaking in Europe. All pleasures denied to so many of my dear UK RHD Cali friends

The joy of being able to recline my drivers seat, the relaxation of a decent footrest on the right of my pedals when on cruise, The ease of looking over traffic irrespective of which side I sit due to the height, the ease of controlling kids getting out of the sliding door, the simple please of a drive through without having to reach over the passenger seat, All pleasures denied to so many of my dear LHD Cali Friends.

 

[s2bear]

You wont have any issues with MPH speedo, rear fogs or LED headlights. Just make sure you do not pay import duty - just UK VAT. You will need a NOVA declaration for HMRC I suggest you use a shipping agent for this to ensure your IEN and product type are correct and match your NOVA.

My LHD 6.1 now in UK ( German 3 month export plates have expired) Am about to send off paperwork to the skeleton staff at DVLA for registration including the all important COC

View attachment 88075

This will be my 8th import now but the first since Bre***.
For my current Cali I did it myself rather than use an agent and think I’ll do the same again this time.
If you’re resident in the UK you aren’t permitted to drive a vehicle on foreign plates in the UK so I’ll just be getting it home and then will have to stare at it whilst I trudge through the registration process. In 2017 this took 1 month from the day it was imported but somehow I can’t see it being that quick this time.

Good luck with the registration process - I would be interested to hear how long it takes in these times.


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[s2bear]

The joy of being able to recline my drivers seat, the relaxation of a decent footrest on the right of my pedals when on cruise, The ease of looking over traffic irrespective of which side I sit due to the height, the ease of controlling kids getting out of the sliding door, the simple please of a drive through without having to reach over the passenger seat, All pleasures denied to so many of my dear LHD Cali Friends.

I never thought about not being able to recline the driver seat with LHD (mine is a Beach)… doh!!!


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