American RVs are typically a lot bigger than the motorhomes you see in Europe, and that is exactly why people want them. It is also why the questions start early. Will it fit on a ship, will it pass a test, and can you drive it on the licence you have?
All three can be answered before you buy, and they should be. With the size, weight and model year in hand, we can tell you how it would travel, how it would be approved and roughly what is involved.
Size decides the shipping
Motorhomes are a step up from cars, and the right way to ship one depends on how big it is. Smaller vans can go in a container like a car. Larger motorhomes go by RoRo, driven onto the ship's vehicle deck, or by road freight for the land legs.
From the United States it is the route we are asked about most. By container, allow around 4 to 6 weeks or more. By RoRo it can take a month or more, depending on sailings. Size makes a big difference to the price, so every motorhome is quoted individually.
| Feature | Smaller camper vans | Larger RVs |
|---|---|---|
| Usual method | Container, like a car | RoRo or road freight |
| US to UK time | Around 4 to 6 weeks or more | A month or more, depending on sailings |
| Must drive on | No | Yes, for RoRo |
| Price | Quoted per job | Quoted per job |
See our motorhome shipping page for more on the methods, and container, RoRo or air for how they compare generally.
Will it be legal here
UK construction rules set a general maximum width of 2.55 metres and a maximum length of 12 metres for most motor vehicles. Measure the RV against both before anything else. If it is wider or longer, talk to us before you buy.
Weight matters just as much. A standard category B car licence covers vehicles up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass. A heavier motorhome needs category C1, which covers 3,500kg to 7,500kg, so check both the RV's gross weight and your own licence.
Send us the numbers first. Length, width, height, gross weight and model year. With those we can tell you how it would ship and which test it faces, before you have paid for anything.
Approval and testing
A motorhome from the USA under 10 years old needs to pass a test before the DVLA will register it, usually an IVA. Older motorhomes take an MOT instead, and GOV.UK puts motor caravans in the same MOT class as cars.
GOV.UK lists motor caravans among the vehicles that can use basic IVA, a mainly visual inspection, where the vehicle is a passenger car or light goods vehicle. The DVSA's scheme guide expects real living accommodation to count as a motor caravan: seats and a table, somewhere to sleep, cooking facilities and storage.
We test on our own site. DVSA inspectors come to us, so the motorhome does not need to travel to a government test centre and back. For a heavier RV, ask us about the route, as the approval depends on how the base vehicle was built. More on the test in the IVA test explained.
Changes for UK roads
American motorhomes usually need changes to the indicators, fog and brake lights, as well as a speedometer that reads in mph and headlights that suit driving on the left. We do the work on site, using LED units where they suit.
Our guide to converting an American car for UK roads explains why American lighting needs changing at all. The principles are the same for a motorhome; there is just more of it.
The habitation side, meaning gas, mains hook-up and appliances, is worth having checked by a motorhome specialist once it is here. Make sure any gas appliances are well maintained and meet safety standards.
Import tax
A motorhome bought outside the EU pays 10% import duty and 20% VAT, worked out on the price plus the cost of getting it here. The UK Trade Tariff lists motor caravans at the same 10% duty as cars. On a large RV, the shipping is a bigger part of that sum than on a car, so it is worth budgeting for.
A motorhome over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty. If you are moving to the UK and have owned it for more than 6 months, after more than 12 months living abroad, it may come in tax free under Transfer of Residence. The import tax calculator will give you a rough figure.
From the USA to UK plates
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Before buying
Size and weight check
You send the dimensions, weight and year. We tell you the method and the test.
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Departure
Shipped
By container for smaller vans, RoRo or road freight for larger ones.
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Arrival
Customs and delivery to us
We clear it through customs and bring it to our facility in Castle Donington.
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Preparation
UK changes
Lighting, speedometer and anything else it needs to pass.
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Test and register
On our site
IVA or MOT in our lane, then DVLA registration by our own team.
Once a motorhome arrives with us, it only leaves once it is registered. For the order of events in more detail, see when your car arrives in the UK, and for the US side of things, shipping a car from the USA.
Before you buy
American motorhome checks
0 of 7 done
Our guide to insuring an imported car covers what to expect when you come to insure it.
Questions people ask
Can I import an American RV to the UK?
Yes. Smaller vans ship in a container, larger RVs by RoRo or road freight. It then needs an IVA or MOT, the usual lighting changes and DVLA registration, which we handle on our site.
Is my RV too big for UK roads?
UK construction rules set a general limit of 2.55 metres wide and 12 metres long for most motor vehicles. Measure yours and talk to us before buying if it is close.
Can I drive a motorhome on a car licence?
A category B licence covers up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass. Heavier motorhomes need category C1, which covers 3,500kg to 7,500kg.
Does an American motorhome need an IVA test?
If it is under 10 years old, usually yes. GOV.UK allows motor caravans that are passenger cars or light goods vehicles to use basic IVA. Older ones take an MOT.
How long does shipping take from the USA?
By container, around 4 to 6 weeks or more. By RoRo, a month or more, depending on sailings.
Found the RV? Send us its size, weight and year on the quote form and we will tell you how we would bring it over.
