Importing a van sounds like it should be a trade job, full of commercial paperwork and rules nobody explains. For most vans it is not. A light van follows almost the same path as a car: shipped, cleared, tested and registered. The differences are the weight, a separate set of test classes and the way it is taxed once it is on the road.
This guide covers panel vans and light commercial vehicles up to 3,500kg, whether that is an American Ford Transit or a Mercedes Sprinter, a Japanese van or something from Europe. My Car Import has brought hundreds of vans to the UK from America alone.
- Duty, non-EU
- 10%
- Import VAT
- 20%
- Approval
- N1 IVA or CoC
- Weight limit
- 3,500kg for a light van
The import tax on a van
Vans fall under a different part of the UK Global Tariff from cars: heading 8704, motor vehicles for the transport of goods. When we checked the UK Trade Tariff, goods vehicles up to 5 tonnes from outside the EU carried 10% third country duty, whether diesel, petrol or electric, new or used. That is the same rate as a car.
Import VAT of 20% goes on top. As with a car, both are worked out on the price of the van plus the cost of getting it here, and VAT is charged on the duty as well. A van from the EU pays 20% VAT, and one over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty.
If you are moving to the UK, have lived abroad for more than 12 months and owned the van for more than 6, it may come in tax free under Transfer of Residence. The import tax calculator works for vans the same way as cars.
Buying through a business? If a VAT-registered business is importing the van, speak to your accountant about the import VAT before it ships. How it is handled depends on your business, and it is far easier to set up beforehand.
Shipping a van
A van ships the same ways as a car, by container or RoRo, and it is priced on the space it takes. A short, low-roof van is a very different job from a long-wheelbase high-roof one, so give us the exact model, wheelbase and roof height when you ask for a quote.
If it goes RoRo, it has to drive on and off, and RoRo vehicles are normally expected to be empty. That matters for a van, because it is tempting to fill the back. Ask us before packing anything inside. See container, RoRo or air for how the methods compare, and what affects the cost of shipping for the rest.
Approval for a light van
In approval terms, a light van is category N1: a goods vehicle up to 3,500kg. GOV.UK publishes a separate IVA inspection manual for N1 vehicles, so the test is built around vans rather than borrowed from cars.
The age rules are the same as for any import. Under 10 years old, the van needs UK type approval, either through a Certificate of Conformity, which is usual for a van built for Europe, or through an IVA test. Over 10 years old, it takes an MOT instead, and over 40 it needs neither.
GOV.UK lets light goods vehicles use basic IVA, a mainly visual inspection, when they are personal imports or left-hand drive. We test in our own lanes, so the van does not need to travel to a government test centre. More in the IVA test explained.
Changes for UK roads
A left-hand drive van needs the same changes as a left-hand drive car: headlights that dip for driving on the left, a rear fog light where one is not fitted and a speedometer that reads in mph. Right-hand drive vans from Japan generally avoid the headlight work.
American vans need their lighting looked at as a whole, as American cars do. Our guide to converting an American car for UK roads explains why, and speedometer and headlight conversions covers the work itself.
Weights, tests and licences
Once it is registered, the van's design gross weight decides which yearly test it takes and whether you can drive it on a car licence. It is worth knowing before you buy.
| Feature | Up to 3,000kg | 3,000 to 3,500kg | Over 3,500kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly test | MOT class 4 | MOT class 7 | Annual goods vehicle test |
| Car licence (category B) | Yes | Yes | No, category C1 or above |
| Vehicle tax | Light goods vehicle rate | Light goods vehicle rate | Different rates, ask us |
For light goods vehicles registered since March 2001, GOV.UK lists a flat yearly vehicle tax rate, rather than the car rates based on CO2. At the time of writing it is £360 for 12 months.
Camper conversions
If your van has been turned into a camper, it may be registered as a motor caravan rather than a panel van if it meets the DVLA's conditions. GOV.UK notes the body type on the V5C does not change your insurance category or speed limits, so tell your insurer about the conversion either way.
The DVSA expects a motor caravan to have real living accommodation: seats and a table, somewhere to sleep, cooking facilities and storage. If the conversion is half finished, talk to us about the timing. For bigger motorhomes, see our motorhome shipping page.
Before you buy
Van import checks
0 of 7 done
For general advice on buying a vehicle overseas, see buying a car abroad safely.
Questions people ask
How much import duty is there on a van?
When we checked the UK Trade Tariff, goods vehicles up to 5 tonnes from outside the EU carried 10% duty, the same as cars. Import VAT of 20% goes on top, worked out on the price plus shipping and the duty.
Does an imported van need an IVA test?
If it is under 10 years old and has no Certificate of Conformity, yes, an N1 IVA for light goods vehicles. Over 10 years it takes an MOT, and over 40 it needs neither.
Can I drive an imported van on a car licence?
Yes, up to 3,500kg gross weight, or 4,250kg for a zero emission van. Above that you need category C1.
How is an imported van taxed once registered?
Light goods vehicles registered since March 2001 pay a flat yearly rate rather than the car rates based on CO2. GOV.UK lists it at £360 for 12 months at the time of writing.
Should I register my camper van as a motorhome?
If it meets the DVLA conditions for a motor caravan, it can be registered as one. GOV.UK says the V5C body type does not change your insurance category or speed limits, so tell your insurer about the conversion whichever way it is registered.
Bringing in a van? Give us the model and weight on the quote form and we will price the shipping, testing and registration together.
