A lot of the people who ask us about Hong Kong are moving to the UK, and the car is one more thing on a very long list. The worry tends to be how long it will all take and how much work the car will need once it gets here. Hong Kong cars need very little work here, and we can give you a realistic timeline from day one.
- Shipping time
- 3 to 6 weeks
- Method
- Shared container
- Whole process
- Around 12 to 14 weeks
- Guide shipping price
- From £2,425
How the car travels
We ship from Hong Kong in shared containers. Your car shares a container with other customers' cars, which keeps the cost down, and it stays sealed in for the whole voyage. Shipping takes around 3 to 6 weeks.
The container comes to our site in Castle Donington, where our own team unloads it and gives the car a walk-around inspection before any work starts. The differences between shipping methods are covered in container, RoRo or air.
Very few changes needed
Hong Kong drives on the left, so its cars are right-hand drive, just like ours. That cuts out most of the work a European or American car needs. The usual changes are:
- A rear fog light, fitted or converted
- A speedometer converted from km/h to mph, on cars under 10 years old
There is one more thing in your favour. Cars from Hong Kong are no longer scrutinised for headlight compliance, so the headlights do not need changing. Our guide to speedometer and headlight conversions explains how we handle the speedo work when it is needed.
A car under 10 years old then takes an IVA test. A car over 10 takes an MOT instead, and one over 40 years old does not need an MOT. Shipping a Car is part of My Car Import, and we run one of only seven privately operated IVA centres in Great Britain on our own site, so the changes and the test happen in the same place. The IVA test explained guide covers what the examiner looks at.
How long the whole thing takes
From the first paperwork to a UK registration, allow around 12 to 14 weeks in total if you are moving over under Transfer of Residence. Here is roughly how that breaks down.
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1 to 2 weeks
Paperwork
Your Transfer of Residence application with HMRC, if you are moving to the UK.
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1 to 2 weeks
Booking and preparation
We book the car onto a shared container and get it ready to load.
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3 to 6 weeks
Shipping
The container sails from Hong Kong and comes to our site in Castle Donington.
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A few days
Customs
As HMRC CDS authorised agents, we make the customs entry ourselves.
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1 to 2 weeks
Changes and testing
A rear fog light and speedometer work if needed, then an IVA test or MOT on our own lane.
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Final step
Registration
Our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register imported cars within 10 working days. We fit your plates before the car leaves.
Our guide on how long it takes to register an imported car goes into the UK end in more detail.
Your Hong Kong paperwork
0 of 4 done
What it costs
As a guide, built from a year of real jobs, shipping a car from Hong Kong starts from around £2,425. That is shipping only. It excludes registration, other services, import tax and any remedial work the car needs.
Hong Kong is outside the EU, so a car bought there pays 20% import VAT and 10% import duty, worked out on the purchase price plus the transport costs, with VAT on top of the duty. A car over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty.
If you are moving to the UK, have lived outside it for at least 12 months and owned the car for at least 6, Transfer of Residence brings it in with no import tax at all. For most people relocating from Hong Kong, that is the route that matters.
Start the Transfer of Residence application early. It is the first step on the timeline, and the car cannot clear customs tax free without it. Apply as soon as you know your moving date.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to ship a car from Hong Kong to the UK?
Shipping takes around 3 to 6 weeks. From the first paperwork to UK registration, allow around 12 to 14 weeks in total.
Does a Hong Kong car need its headlights changed?
No. Cars from Hong Kong are no longer scrutinised for headlight compliance. The usual changes are a rear fog light and, on cars under 10 years old, an mph speedometer.
Does a car from Hong Kong need an IVA test?
A car under 10 years old takes an IVA test, which we carry out on our own site. Cars over 10 take an MOT, and cars over 40 do not need one.
Do I pay import tax on a car from Hong Kong?
Usually 20% VAT and 10% duty on the price plus transport. If you are moving to the UK and qualify for Transfer of Residence, the car comes in tax free.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Hong Kong to the UK?
As a guide, built from a year of real jobs, shipping starts from around £2,425. That excludes registration, other services, import tax and any remedial work.
Moving over soon? Send us the car and your dates on the quote form and we will price the whole job, from Hong Kong to your drive.
