Export Car to the United Kingdom - England, Scotland and Wales
Arranging a car export from the Netherlands to England or elsewhere in the United Kingdom? Since Brexit the UK is outside the EU, which adds customs steps: an EX-A export declaration on the Dutch side, and on the British side the NOVA notification with HMRC followed by DVLA registration. Auto Export Document in Hengelo takes care of the RDW deregistration, export certificate, proof of discharge and the 14-day export insurance with white export plates for the drive to the ferry or Eurotunnel. Our part takes about 15 minutes.
Why export a car from the Netherlands to the UK in 2026?
The UK drives on the left and most British cars are right-hand drive. Still, there is a clear market for Dutch vehicles: classics and youngtimers, campers, left-hand-drive cars for frequent continental driving, and of course people relocating to England, Scotland or Wales who take their own car along.
Since Brexit, customs formalities apply. On the Dutch side an EX-A export declaration is required. On the British side the importer files a NOVA notification with HMRC within 14 days and usually pays 20% import VAT; a transfer-of-residence relief is often available when moving to the UK. Under the trade agreement, import duty is normally 0% for cars of proven EU origin, otherwise up to 10%. Registration then goes through the DVLA, with an MOT test for cars older than three years and headlights suitable for left-hand traffic.
The crossing is easy to arrange: ferries from Hook of Holland to Harwich, IJmuiden to Newcastle and Rotterdam to Hull, or the Eurotunnel via Calais. From Hengelo it is about 550 km to London plus the crossing. Our export insurance with green card is valid in the United Kingdom as well.
The UK as an export destination - facts 2026
- ✔Non-EU since Brexit: EX-A export declaration required
- ✔NOVA notification with HMRC within 14 days of arrival
- ✔20% import VAT; relief possible when relocating
- ✔Import duty usually 0% for EU-origin cars, otherwise up to 10%
- ✔DVLA registration; MOT test for cars older than 3 years
- ✔Ferry or Eurotunnel; green card valid in the UK
Step-by-step: exporting a car to the United Kingdom
Make an appointment
Book a visit at our Hengelo office. Reachable 24/7 by appointment.
RDW deregistration
We deregister the vehicle from the Dutch registry with the RDW on the spot.
Export certificate + discharge
You receive the export certificate for the UK; the seller gets a proof of discharge.
EX-A + crossing
Have the EX-A export declaration prepared and head for the ferry or Eurotunnel with export insurance and white export plates.
Everything is handled in one visit at Slachthuisweg 135, Hengelo. Within 15 minutes you are ready for the Channel crossing. Read more on our EX-A customs document page.
Car export to the UK after Brexit: customs, NOVA, DVLA and VAT
Since 1 January 2021 Great Britain is a third country for customs purposes. A car that leaves the Netherlands for England, Scotland or Wales therefore follows the same route as any other non-EU export, plus three British steps after arrival. Below is what happens on each side of the Channel and who is responsible for it.
1. Customs: EX-A on the Dutch side, import declaration in the UK
Before the vehicle leaves the EU it needs an EX-A export declaration, filed with Dutch customs by our customs agent. The declaration is closed at the port or the Eurotunnel terminal when the vehicle leaves; keep the confirmation of exit, it is your proof that the car was exported from the EU.
On arrival the importer, or a UK customs agent on their behalf, files an import declaration in the British customs system. For a private individual bringing in a single car this is usually combined with the NOVA notification below; commercial importers normally let a freight forwarder handle it.
2. NOVA notification with HMRC within 14 days
NOVA stands for Notification of Vehicle Arrivals. Within 14 days of the vehicle arriving in the UK the importer notifies HMRC online, stating the vehicle details, the purchase price and the VAT position. HMRC confirms the notification once any VAT and duty are settled.
The DVLA will not register a vehicle without a completed NOVA notification, so this step comes first. The data HMRC asks for is on the documents you receive from us: the RDW export certificate and the EX-A, together with your invoice or purchase contract.
3. DVLA registration and MOT
After the NOVA confirmation the importer applies to the DVLA for a British registration (form V55/5 for a used vehicle), enclosing the RDW export certificate as proof of the previous registration, proof of identity and address, UK insurance and the registration fee and vehicle tax. Cars older than three years need a valid MOT certificate first.
Headlights must be set or adapted for driving on the left and the speedometer must show miles per hour. For a used car that was already registered in the EU the DVLA normally accepts the EU type approval; the certificate of conformity (COC) speeds this up, so ask the Dutch seller for it. A left-hand-drive car can be registered without conversion.
4. VAT and import duty
Import VAT in the UK is 20% and is calculated on the customs value: the price paid for the vehicle plus transport and any duty. It is declared through the NOVA notification and the import declaration. A Dutch VAT-qualifying vehicle (BTW-auto) is exported at 0% Dutch VAT, so VAT is paid once, in the UK; a margin-scheme car still attracts UK import VAT on its full value.
Under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement import duty is 0% for cars of proven EU origin; without proof of origin the duty is up to 10%. Private individuals moving to the UK can apply for transfer-of-residence relief (ToR1) before the move, which waives VAT and duty on a car they have owned and used for at least six months.
We take care of the Dutch side in one visit: RDW deregistration, export certificate, export insurance with green card, white export plates and the EX-A via our customs agent. The NOVA notification, VAT payment and DVLA registration are done by the importer in the UK; we make sure you leave with every document those steps require.
Documents required to export a car to the UK
Seller (Dutch)
- ✔ Vehicle registration card (part 1B)
- ✔ Registration transfer codes
- ✔ Both license plates
- ✔ Valid ID document
Buyer (British / foreign)
- ✔ Valid ID (passport or identity card)
- ✔ Present in person at the office in Hengelo
For the United Kingdom the EX-A export declaration is added on the Dutch side. In the UK the NOVA notification with HMRC and the DVLA registration follow, so keep the export certificate and proof of purchase safe.
Prices for car export to the United Kingdom 2026
| Service | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Export document | Official RDW export certificate + deregistration + proof of discharge | €50 |
| Export insurance 14 days | Third-party export insurance with green card, valid in the United Kingdom | €100 |
| Complete export service | Document + deregistration + discharge + insurance + white export plates | €150 |
The EX-A export declaration, UK import VAT and any import duty are not included. See the full pricing overview. Source: autoexportdocument.nl, August 2026
Our office - car export to the United Kingdom
Exporting to a non-EU country involves extra paperwork. Since 2016 we have handled the Dutch side completely and we clearly explain the steps that follow in the UK: NOVA, VAT and DVLA. That way you board the ferry in Hook of Holland or IJmuiden well prepared. Call ahead and we will gladly advise on your situation.
Auto Export Document
Address: Slachthuisweg 135, 7556 AZ Hengelo
Phone: +31 6 38199986
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-16:30 · 24/7 by appointment
Make an appointmentCamper, caravan or motorcycle export to the UK
Campers and classics cross the Channel most often. We prepare export paperwork for every vehicle with a Dutch registration: campers, caravans, motorcycles, trailers and vans. Rates are identical for all vehicle types; the NOVA notification and DVLA registration apply to these vehicles in the UK as well.
See all options on our services page or request export insurance with plates for the drive to the crossing.
Car Export Rates
| Service | Price from |
|---|---|
| Car Export Document part 2 | €50 |
| Car Export Insurance & Export Plates (valid 14 days) | €100 |
| Complete package – Export Document + Export Insurance + Export Plates | €150 |
| Export insurance extension, 2 weeks | €120 |
These are starting prices. Please note that online requests include administration and delivery costs, and requests outside office hours may carry surcharges.
Call, email or WhatsApp in advance to make an appointment.
Source: autoexportdocument.nl · 13 October 2026 · RDW-approved vehicle export office
Related export services
Explore our other export services
EX-A Customs Document
The export declaration required since Brexit for shipments to the United Kingdom.
More informationExport Insurance & License Plates
Third-party export insurance with green card, valid in the UK, plus white export plates.
More informationExport Car to France
Driving via Calais to the Eurotunnel? See the France export page too.
More informationComplete Export Package
Document + insurance + plates for €150.
More informationFrequently asked questions about exporting a car to the UK
Source: autoexportdocument.nl - 13 October 2026
Contact Auto Export Document Netherlands
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Slachthuisweg 135, 7556 AZ Hengelo · Easily accessible by car, ample parking available