Anywhere in Washington: dealers, private sellers and auctions. We arrange the inland haulage.
Importing a car from Washington
Found it in Washington? We collect it anywhere in the state, ship it from the west coast, clear it through UK customs and hand it back registered on UK plates.
The west coast
8 to 16 weeks from collection to UK registration, typically.
The Washington end
Buying and collecting in Washington
Before you pay, send us the listing and the ZIP code where the car is. The inland leg is the part of the shipping cost that varies most, and it depends on exactly where in Washington the car is sitting.
Titles in Washington are issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing. The seller needs to hand over the original title in their name, with any lien released, plus a bill of sale. We only import clean-title vehicles: a salvage, rebuilt or flood title is one we cannot take on. Our guide to buying a car in the USA covers the checks to make first.
Which coast it leaves from
Cars from Washington usually leave from the west coast: roughly 100 miles from the middle of the state, as the crow flies.
From there it crosses the Atlantic by container or roll-on roll-off, usually in 4 to 6 weeks, with marine insurance in place. See container or roll-on roll-off for how to choose.
Once it lands, it is the same as every import
Import duty is charged at 10% of the vehicle value, then 20% VAT on the value plus shipping plus the duty. A vehicle over 30 years old in original specification may qualify as a historic vehicle, with no duty and VAT at an effective 5%. Under ten years old it needs an IVA test; older cars take an MOT. We do the conversions in our own workshop and register it with the DVLA. The full breakdown is on what it costs.
Common questions
Can you collect a car anywhere in Washington?
Yes. We collect from dealers, private sellers and auctions anywhere in Washington and arrange the inland haulage to the export port. Send us the ZIP code with the listing so we can price the inland leg properly.
How long does it take to get a car from Washington to the UK?
Typically 8 to 16 weeks from collection to UK registration. Ocean transit is around 4 to 6 weeks; inland haulage, customs, IVA or MOT and registration sit either side of it.
What paperwork do I need for a car from Washington?
The original title, issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing, in the seller’s name and with any lien released, plus a bill of sale. We only import clean-title vehicles, so a salvage, rebuilt or flood title is one we cannot take on.
Found the car in Washington?
Tell us the vehicle and where it is. We will come back with an itemised landed cost — no deposit, no obligation.