Since Brexit, a car moving between the UK and the EU crosses a customs border. The UK is no longer part of the EU customs union, so a journey that once felt like an internal move now involves export and import formalities. We arrange the transport and can point you in the right direction on paperwork, but the current rules should always be confirmed with HMRC and DVLA.

What changed after Brexit

Before 2021, a car could travel between the UK and the rest of Europe in free circulation, with no customs step. Today the UK is a third country in customs terms, which means a vehicle leaving one side and entering the other is treated as an export from where it starts and an import where it arrives.

This does not make transport difficult, and thousands of cars still cross each year. It simply adds a paperwork layer that both you and, where relevant, a customs agent need to handle. Planning it early keeps your collection and delivery on schedule.

Declarations, VAT and duty

Crossing the border usually involves a declaration on each side, and depending on the direction and the value of the car there may be VAT or duty to account for. The headline points to be aware of are these.

• Export declaration: lodged in the country the car leaves, confirming the vehicle is departing.
• Import declaration: lodged where the car arrives, so it can be brought in legally.
• VAT: may be due on import, typically based on the value of the car, and the treatment differs for new and used vehicles.
• Customs duty: can apply in some cases, though preferential terms may reduce or remove it depending on origin and paperwork.

Because these amounts depend on the car’s value, age and origin, we do not quote tax figures. Check your exact liability with HMRC for UK-side movements, or the equivalent authority on the EU side, before you commit to a purchase.

Registering the car once it arrives

Transport and customs get the car to the door. Registration is a separate step handled by the vehicle authority in the destination country.

For a car imported into the UK, that authority is the DVLA. Before you can register, an import is normally notified to HMRC through the NOVA system so that any VAT position is recorded, after which DVLA registration and a valid MOT and insurance follow. For a car going the other way into an EU country, you register with that country’s authority, which will have its own inspection and tax requirements. Our guide on documents you need to transport a car in the EU sets out the paperwork you will typically be asked for.

How the transport itself works

The practical side is the easy part. A car crossing between the UK and the mainland travels by road and ferry, or through the tunnel, on a professional multi-car transporter, so you never have to drive it or arrange a crossing yourself. Non-runners are welcome, and the carrier plans the route to combine loads efficiently.

Delivery is quoted as a realistic range rather than a fixed date, because transporters combine several cars on one trip and border steps can add time. For a sense of typical timings, see how long car transport takes. When you are ready, our door-to-door car transport service covers UK to EU and EU to UK journeys, and you can explore common corridors on our car transport routes page.

Choosing a carrier that regularly runs cross-border work makes a real difference here, because they know the ferry and tunnel options and how to fit a customs stop into the schedule. That experience is what keeps a UK move as smooth as an internal European one, even with the extra formalities.

Practical tips for a smooth crossing

A little preparation removes most of the friction from a cross-border move.

• Gather your documents early: registration, purchase invoice and identification, so a customs agent has what they need.
• Keep the invoice clear: the declared value drives any VAT or duty, so an accurate sales document matters.
• Confirm the current rules: customs and tax policy can change, so verify with HMRC and DVLA rather than relying on older advice.
• Tell us the full picture: both addresses, the car’s condition and whether it runs, so we can quote and plan accurately.

We cannot act as your customs agent or tax adviser, but we will always be honest about what the transport involves. To get started, request a free, no-obligation quote and we will talk you through the next steps.

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