Guide to Importing a UK car to Cyprus: Costs, Regulations and Process

Importing a used car to Cyprus from the UK is very attractive because most cars can be bought VAT-free, saving up to 20% of the purchase price which gives significant savings: £10,000 on a £50,000 car, for example. (New-vehicle imports follow different rules and are limited to registered dealers.)
This guide covers to importing to Cyprus shares the essential information: the full cost breakdown for transport, shipping, duty and Cyprus VAT, duties and how the VAT saving works. Understand the exemptions that apply if you’re relocating, and the process from first enquiry to driving on Cypriot roads — including who’s responsible for what along the way.

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The UK VAT Saving: Why a UK Car Imports is Different

• A UK buyer normally pays a car’s price plus 20% VAT. MHH sources the car as an export sale, so no VAT applies — the price quoted to the client is the net, VAT-free price.
• The saving scales with what you pay: £6,000 on a £30,000 car (a UK buyer would pay £36,000 with VAT for the same car), £10,000 on a £50,000 car (£60,000 with VAT), £16,000 on an £80,000 car (£96,000 with VAT).
• It matters most on prestige models (Range Rover, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche), where the saving comfortably covers shipping and import costs. On lower-value cars, those costs can eat into it.
• Most buyers can’t access this themselves. UK dealers generally decline export sales because the VAT reclaim process with HMRC is specialist and time-consuming. MHH handles it as a core part of the service: the car is purchased as an export sale, VAT is reclaimed, and the saving is already reflected in the price quoted.
• This is specifically the UK VAT saving, not to be confused with Cyprus import VAT (19%, due once the car lands — covered next). One is money saved leaving the UK, the other is money owed entering Cyprus, and they don’t offset each other.

The VAT-free price is just the start. Six more costs sit between the UK and driving in Cyprus — the total moves with the car’s value, whether you ship RoRo or container, and whether the car is UK-built. (Updated August 2026)

	Cost	Notes
Shipping (RoRo)	from £900	Driven onto the vessel — cheaper, faster Usually 10-14 days
Shipping (container)	from £1,300	More protection — usual choice for higher-value cars Usually 14-21 days Additional items can be shipped as part of your consignment – speak with our team for details.
Import duty	10% (0% with UK proof of origin)	Charged on the customs value
Pre-shipment safety check for EVs & hybrid vehicles	£250	EVs and Hybrids can now be shipped Roro with a pre-shipment safety check
Cyprus import VAT	19%	Charged on the customs value, on top of duty
Port fees	€212-450	Varies by RoRo vs container
Clearing agent fees	€120–400	Local agent handles customs clearance
Roadworthiness test	€40	Required before registration carried out at the District Vehicle Examination Centre
Registration	€150	Completed with your CO2 certificate, Type approval number.

Every cost here is confirmed before you commit — no surprises once the car’s on the water.

Import Duty, Cyprus VAT and Exemptions

The tax on your vehicle depends on the car’s origin, it’s classification and your residency.

	Duty / Tax
Import Duty – Cars	UK-manufactured cars with proof of origin: Import duty is 0% (under the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement) Non-UK manufactured vehicles: e.g. manufactured in Germany, USA, Japan, South America etc but registered in the UK
Import Duty – Commercial Vehicles	10% – 22% duty applies according to vehicle type and engine size.
Import Duty – Motorbikes	8% (up to 250cc) or 6% (over 250cc).
Cyprus VAT	19% charged on the customs value (car price, shipping and duty combined) — separate from the UK VAT saving in section 2.

Relocating to Cyprus? You can import one vehicle duty- and tax-free if you’ve owned and driven it in the UK for at least 6 months, and bring it in within 12 months of the move.

NB: These rates are correct at the time of writing 9Aug 2026) and are subject to change. Please check with our team or a Cyprus customs agent before committing to a purchase.

Permanent or Temporary Import: Which Do You Need?

• Permanent import is what almost every MHH client needs: full customs filing, and the car is yours to keep and drive indefinitely in Cyprus once registered.If you’re buying a car to live with in Cyprus, you want permanent import. Temporary only applies if you’re genuinely just passing through.
  • Duty and VAT can be waived
  • You must have owned your vehicle for over 6 months
  • Your vehicle must be imported within 12 months of relocating
  • You vehicle cannot be sold or transferred for 3 years following it’s import
• Temporary import is the exception, not the default — it’s for visitors bringing a car in for up to 6 months, not for buyers relocating or importing to keep. The exemption is agreed with Cyprus Customs before the car ships, not after arrival — the paperwork needs to be correct in advance.

The Import Process, Step by Step

1. Tell us what you want. Make, model, spec, budget — MHH searches UK dealer networks and auction houses for a match.
2. We buy it as an export sale. The VAT is reclaimed and the saving’s already in the price you’re quoted.
3. Documentation is prepared. V5C, Bill of Lading, purchase invoice, and the customs form Cyprus requires.*
4. The car ships. RoRo or container, arriving at Limassol, typically 2–3 weeks from departure.
5. Customs clearance. Handled with a local agent on the ground in Cyprus.
6. Registration. Roadworthiness test, CO2 emissions certificate, then submission to the District Vehicle Examination Centre — the car’s yours to drive.

*Confirm the current form number with Cyprus Customs before publishing — sources disagreed on C72A vs S72A.

Who Does What

Exporting a vehicle through MHH International involves four key parties, each with a clear role in keeping the process smooth.

	Role	Responsible For
MHH International	Manages your vehicle purchase and export	Assist with selecting the best vehicle, Verifies quality, mileage & completes history checks, Manages your vehicle purchase, Sells to you VAT free and manages your VAT reclaim, Manages UK transport (fully insured) Organises your shipping booking Provides the required documents including the V5C, sales invoice, proof of origin where applicable Arranges marine insurance for your vehicle
Shipping Company	Transports your vehicle from the UK to Cyprus	Transports your vehicle to Cyprus (Roro or container) Provides you Bill of Lading (official shipping documents)
Customs Agent	Manages your customs clearance in Cyprus	Manages your customs and clearance paperwork Manages your duty and Cyprus VAT payments Advises on registration process
Buyer	Collects and registers the vehicle	Shares all required paperwork to the customs agent Makes required payments for import duty, VAT, customs fees & taxes. Manages the roadworthiness inspection is carried out successfully Completes registration of your vehicle in Cyprus.

Registering Your Car in Cyprus

Once customs clearance is done, your car needs a roadworthiness test and a CO2 emissions certificate, both submitted to the District Vehicle Examination Centre.

• Roadworthiness test (similar to the UK MOT) costs €40
• The information for the CO2 certificate his information is found on Point V.7 of the UK V5C logbook.
• Registration typically takes 2–3 days and costs around €150.
  

Age Restrictions

• Standard age limit is under 5 years old — unless you’re importing under the residency-transfer exemption above, which allows an older car.
• Classic cars (25+ years) register differently and need FIVA certification rather than the standard roadworthiness process.

Why Choose MHH for Cyprus Imports

We understand that it takes a leap of faith to send a large sum to a company you’ll never meet, for a car you can’t inspect yourself. Thousands of buyers have put their trust in us and you can too. here’s why:

• Founded 2009, we have exported over 7,000+ cars to 37 countries.
• Take a look at our Trustpilot page to see 235+ verified reviews from satisfied clients. (Our google reviews will show you even more too)
• Dedicated to car export, we are specialists in exporting prestige cars across seamlessly the world.
• Expert team of 11 managing your import and keeping you constantly updated throughout.
• UK-registered company, verifiable on Companies House.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — cars 25+ years old register as classics and need FIVA certification rather than the standard roadworthiness process. Additional documentation is required to prove the car meets the requirements for Cyprus. Details can be found on the International Code of Vintage Vehicles website

Useful Links

So assist with your import process , please see below key pages for the authorities in Cyprus.

Vehicle Import Guidelines for Cyprus: Visit the Vehicle Import Guidelines for Cyprus webpage

Cyprus Road Transport Department (RTD): View the Cyprus Road Transport Department website

Cyprus Customs & Excise Department: View the Cyprus Customs & Excise Dept website