Vehicle import · United Kingdom
Import a car from the United Kingdom
British-built cars have their own Section 232 quota: 10% in total while the quarter's quota lasts. Allied files the CBP entry, the DOT HS-7 and the EPA 3520-1.
Duty in 2026
What duty does a vehicle from the United Kingdom pay?
| Vehicle | Total duty | Chapter 99 heading |
|---|---|---|
| Car made in 2001 or earlier (8703) | 12.5% | 9903.94.04 (no Section 232), 9903.05.81 (Section 301) |
| UK-built car made in 2002 or later, inside the quota | 10% | 9903.94.31 |
| UK-built car made in 2002 or later, after the quota fills | 27.5% | 9903.94.01 |
| UK-built light truck or pickup made in 2002 or later | 50% | 9903.94.01 |
| Classic Mini with an 848 cc or 998 cc engine (8703.21), any age | 15% | 9903.82.10 (steel derivative) |
CBP opens the quota each quarter. The fourth quarter of 2026 runs from October 1 to December 31, 2026. Unused quota moves from the first quarter to the third, and from the second to the fourth.
CBP also charges the merchandise processing fee: 0.3464%, with a minimum and a maximum. An ocean shipment also pays the harbor maintenance fee of 0.125%. All rates and a worked example.
Leaving the country
What do I do with the V5C?
Get the full V5C
The seller must give you the full V5C, not only the new keeper slip. DVLA cannot send a V5C to an address outside the UK.
Send the permanent export section to DVLA
Fill in the permanent export section, detach it and send it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD.
Keep the rest of the V5C
You need the rest of the log book to register the vehicle in the United States. Send us a copy for the entry.
Arrival
Where does a vehicle from the United Kingdom arrive, and does the steering side matter?
Ports of entry
Vehicles from the UK usually cross the Atlantic to East Coast ports, for example Baltimore or New York and New Jersey. Allied files at any U.S. port.
Right-hand drive
The UK drives on the left, and UK cars are right-hand drive. Federal import rules do not ban right-hand drive. Your state titles and registers the car.
Common imports
Which vehicles do people import from the United Kingdom?
Land Rover Defender 90 and 110
Most were never sold in the United States, so they come in under the 25-year rule. The current Defender is built in Nitra, Slovakia, so the EU rate applies to it.Classic Mini
A Mini with an 848 cc or 998 cc engine pays 15% at any age under the steel derivative duty. A 1,275 cc Mini made in 2001 or earlier pays 12.5%: the 2.5% base rate plus the 10% Section 301 forced labor duty.Jaguar, MG, Triumph and Lotus classics
These usually meet the 25-year and 21-year rules. Made in 2001 or earlier, they pay 12.5%: the 2.5% base rate plus the 10% Section 301 forced labor duty.Range Rover Classic
Passenger models are cars: 12.5% in total when made in 2001 or earlier. We check the design for any model built to carry goods.
The UK quota is shared by all importers
The quota counts every UK passenger vehicle that enters the United States. If a quarter's limit is exceeded at the opening, CBP prorates the entries. After the quota fills, the rate is 27.5% in total. CBP quota bulletin for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Our service
How does Allied handle a vehicle from the United Kingdom?
Before you buy: send the listing, a photo of the labels and the export document. We confirm the HS-7 box, the EPA code, the country of origin and the duty.
Before arrival: we file the CBP entry and transmit the HS-7 and the EPA 3520-1 in ACE. We arrange the customs bond when the entry needs one.
After release: we send you the released entry papers for your state title. See the full import process.
Request: Vehicle import entry (CBP entry, DOT HS-7, EPA 3520-1)
Quote on request
Questions
Importing a vehicle from the United Kingdom: common questions
What is the duty on a car from the UK?
A car made in 2001 or earlier pays 12.5% on a 2026 entry: the 2.5% base rate plus the 10% Section 301 forced labor duty. A UK-built car made in 2002 or later pays 10% in total inside the quota and 27.5% after the quota fills. A Mini of 1,000 cc or less pays 15%.
What do I do with the V5C?
Send the permanent export section to DVLA and keep the rest. You need the rest to register the vehicle in the United States. Make sure the seller gives you the full V5C.
Does the UK quota matter for my classic car?
No. A car made in 2001 or earlier has no Section 232 duty on a 2026 entry, so the quota does not change its duty. It pays the 10% Section 301 forced labor duty on top of the 2.5% base rate instead. The quota matters for UK-built cars made in 2002 or later.
Buying a vehicle from the United Kingdom? Check it first.
Call (908) 291-8001 or email info@alliedchb.com
Last reviewed September 26, 2026. This page explains customs rules in general terms. It is not legal advice. Duty rates and CBP procedures change often, and we confirm the figures for your shipment in writing before you commit.