Self Importation - Advice / Join me

Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

BTW i have also found out that for UK, you are only allowed to export one car tax free once a year. Any more than that and it'll not be classified as for personal use but for purpose of business, and you'll be taxed accordingly.
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

I found out from BMW UK that they now do not do tax free exports to foreign buyers unless you work in the UK and are returning home. It's only in place for 2 months and they claim it's due to the different specs for different countries.

Example I was given was that UK uses low sulphur fuel whereas Malaysia uses high sulphur and engine will not be able to take it. From what I understand, US uses high sulphur that's why engines detuned a little, but not sure implications of that. Any comments?

Anyhow, BMW UK does not want to export tax free (not UK govt rule) as part of their corporate decision, and also not to eat into BMW Asia sales if they spec for Asia. So one way is to get from Germany dealer as UK spec and import direct to S'pore... which means cannot get from UK dealer 'cos have to pay 17.5% VAT which is crazy.
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

DRV,

Thanks for the updates. Btw, I pm you on the dates.

Cheers,
B
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

Bleachberu

I will wait for more replies and then firm up date...

Cheers,
V
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

Dear Bros,

Confirm meet up on Saturday 3 May 5pm at Kallang Macs to discuss self-importation issues. Please feel free to join.

Topics to discuss

1. Importation of new car. Price of car model is different c.f. Singapore.
2. Importation of used car. Condition of car and warranty.
3. Purchase locally from PI... but with substantial discount.
4. Any other business

So far confirmed
1. DRV
2. Bleachberu
3. The Mixmaster
4. DriveAllDay
5. Jason3S
6. crashover77

Cheers
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

would arranging for financing be an issue with self import cars ?
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

Not major issue, just how the car is registered and under whose name...
There are some who have done it and no prob
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

Hi DRV,

Me and a friend (or two) are interested in self importing 335s too.

Missed the last meeting - just saw this thread today.

Willing to put in time / effort to make this work.

Is it too late for us to join in?

Thanks!

PS: Can't PM yet, maybe cos my account was only created today - you can email me at j aso n.din g.70@gmail .com (remove spaces) and I'll send you my mobile number.
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

It's been a few days already, still no response... hoping I didn't miss the boat!

PIs are offering the 335 coupe for around $207k (newspaper ads) atm. Can do better or not?

If can, someone in the group pleeeeeaaassseee email me! Need to talk!

jason.ding.70 at gmail.com.
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

ah, sorry, didn't see your e-mail... tried to pm you instead

e-mail coming in 5 minutes
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

Don't BMW and Merc do diplomatic sales? Thought BMW would sell to anyone who wanted to buy???

I dont know how to avoid the VAT - blxxdy 17.5% but couldnt you get a "friend" in the UK to register and deregister the car for export? This way, the car would still be exported (like in Japan), and the "friend" could easily claim back the money for the tax disc etc. stuff?

I am sure if you prove to customs you are exporting the car (almost new, I think the classification is - where you can get the VAT back if you export it within 3 months of purchase) - you can get the VAT off. The car would have to be deregistered and sold to YOU - as a non UK resident to be able to claim back the VAT.

I am dead certain there is a law like this - was exploring it when I was based in London.

Good luck!

P.S. Just also keep in mind the pain which customs in Singapore add to the entire process - something which the larger PIs are adept at dealing with, but for end customers, it might be too much hassle.
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

BMW does not do "diplomatic" sales to non-diplomats anymore 'cos they say they do not want to take away BMW Asia's business.

VAT is an issue. Once you register the car in the UK, you pay VAT upfront. Can you buy used later and claim back the VAT? is this for cars only 'cos for other goods you have to claim VAT exemption up front.

There are other ways and some bros have brought in cars without this tax...

Customs in Singapore will be quite a hassle. I spoke with them and this lady was very patient in explaining to me everything that is needed - a long list. But basically a freight forwarder can do most of this for you for a fee.

Only thing is to get a reliable supplier 'cos you don't see the actual car...
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

Couple of BMW dealers I can think of with who my dealings have been good - there's one in westminster.

If you want to dig deeper - log onto the BMW Forum in the UK. Tell people this is what you are planning to do. I am dead certain someone will pop up from the woordwork to help.

Merc I can recommend someone - but BMW, no personal contacts. Though someone in the management at BMW SG (not PML, but BMW) is a neighbour.

I hear what you are saying about customs - was this nice lady Ms Lim?. My car is currently stuck in the customs loop! Having a frustrating and tough time.

Although - I believe if you submit full documentation i.e. car is priced X pounds in UK Market. I got VAT off - so the price for me is 0.85X. Converted to SGD is 2.55X - here's the invoice. Plus freight and insurance - you shouldnt have any hassles. Time consuming, and paperwork yes, but no troubles. It is only if you start under declaring the OMV to save on the duty like the PIs in Singapore that you will land up in trouble.

Also - why bother dealing with BMW themselves! There are so many dealers in the UK who will be hungry for business of this kind that they will arrange to do most of the stuff on their side anyways.

Here's merc giving offers to tourists Mercedes-Benz UK - Passenger Cars - Export and Diplomatic sales

And here's the BMW equivalent: BMW Park Lane - Tax Free Sales

Who did you talk to in BMW UK who said you couldnt export? From what I remember (hearsay) about Park Lane - they will do the shipping as well at a cost. Always easier to go to the UK to test drive and then order the car.

As for specifications - I would actually go for the UK versions. For some reasons, the goodies in the cars there are much higher in the stat spec compared to the Singaporean version: or so I feel.
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

timechaser;334661 said:
Couple of BMW dealers I can think of with who my dealings have been good - there's one in westminster.

Also - why bother dealing with BMW themselves! There are so many dealers in the UK who will be hungry for business of this kind that they will arrange to do most of the stuff on their side anyways.
http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...ssenger_cars/home/solutions/export_sales.html

And here's the BMW equivalent: BMW Park Lane - Tax Free Sales

Who did you talk to in BMW UK who said you couldnt export? From what I remember (hearsay) about Park Lane - they will do the shipping as well at a cost. Always easier to go to the UK to test drive and then order the car.
Click to expand...

Hi guys.

I am starting to explore the possibility of importing on my own, a new BMW 335.

To begin, can anyone recommend any maunfacturer/ vendor/ supplier/ dealer? UK/ Germany/ HK? Any contact is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

Hi all

If you want to self import a new car from UK, there are two ways:

1. Bring the car in without registration. Pros: LTA prefers it, no VAT, simple. Cons: you may have problems having local warranties, some manufacturer disallow it (e.g. Porsche)
2. Register the car under PERSONAL EXPORT SCHEME (VX302). This is the most proper way. Pros: no VAT, you are officially recognised as 1st owner which helps you with local warranties. Cons: tedious, see below

To do (2): you MUST
1. Have valid UK home address -- using your friend's will do.
2. Export the car out of the country within 3 days of registration. LTA is extremely fussy about this.
3. Get the original manufacturer's EU emission compliance certification
4. Have valid insurance for the car (yes, even if the car is not driven) -- you need it to register. There are specialised firms doing this.
5. Get in principle approval from LTA. Well, it is not a must, but why risk it?

Needless to say, you need to pay everything in cash.

Total cash outlay:

1. OMV = Price of UK car + Insurance + Shipping & freight insurance
2. OMV * (20% tax + 100% LTA registration) * 1.07 GST
3. COE
4. LTA processing fee: 240
5. LTA inspection: 150
6. IU: 150
7. Customs and port clearance:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

DriveAllDay;505489 said:
Hi all

If you want to self import a new car from UK, there are two ways:

1. Bring the car in without registration. Pros: LTA prefers it, no VAT, simple. Cons: you may have problems having local warranties, some manufacturer disallow it (e.g. Porsche)
2. Register the car under PERSONAL EXPORT SCHEME (VX302). This is the most proper way. Pros: no VAT, you are officially recognised as 1st owner which helps you with local warranties. Cons: tedious, see below

To do (2): you MUST
1. Have valid UK home address -- using your friend's will do.
2. Export the car out of the country within 3 days of registration. LTA is extremely fussy about this.
3. Get the original manufacturer's EU emission compliance certification
4. Have valid insurance for the car (yes, even if the car is not driven) -- you need it to register. There are specialised firms doing this.
5. Get in principle approval from LTA. Well, it is not a must, but why risk it?

Needless to say, you need to pay everything in cash.

Total cash outlay:

1. OMV = Price of UK car + Insurance + Shipping & freight insurance
2. OMV * (20% tax + 100% LTA registration) * 1.07 GST
3. COE
4. LTA processing fee: 240
5. LTA inspection: 150
6. IU: 150
7. Customs and port clearance:
Click to expand...
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

DRV;321136 said:
Summary so far...
There are many issues that need to be addressed including
1. Price of car and reliability if used
2. OMV
3. Financing

We need to work together if this is going to succeed in a big way. Those who have done so please advice if possible...
At the very least, understanding the costs involved will allow us to determine if we want to bring in by ourselves or just buy from AD/PI/used dealer. At least we enter with our eyes open.

The following people have at least shown some interest (correct me if I'm wrong & please add if interested)
1. DRV
2. Blechberu
3. Darth Vader
4. Mixmaster
5. DriveAllDay
6. Jason3S
7. vngooi

We can form an entity or even company to work on this for our and other bros' benefit. I'll be happy to chip in my time and set up a discussion group to meet in person.
Please PM me to indicate what time frame you are looking for the car and how much time / effort you wish to put into this. For eg. I'm willing to put 2-3 months time and to fly to Japan / UK etc. for holiday + car shopping. It's a learning experience for me, even if at the end decide to buy from dealer in S'pore.

Will be nice if the story goes like this...
Singapore Beng walks into BMW head office in Munich.
Sales Exec: Vat do you vant?
S'pore beng: BMW car lah, if not come BMW showroom for what?
Sales Exec: Vhich model? Zee cars are expensive. Maybe 320i for you?
S'pore beng: Eh, here got list of 20 cars for my brudders. Eh, 5 x 335, 5 x 650, 5 x M3, 5 x M5. Got stock? Lim Peh pay cash...
Sales Exec (talks to manager): Vow, in zhat case zve give 10% discount... bring more brudders next time.
S'pore beng goes back with 20 BMWs in tow with 10% discount, lower OMV and taxes, and all brudders happy :)
Click to expand...

Have included me in list. Plse include me in your planning discussion and this thread....am interested in either a 335 coupe or M3...Thks.
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

Hi

To answer your question:

1. Registration vs. warranty. No registration means your name is not in the manufacturer's system/database. When your car is in Singapore, PML may not honour the 2 yr warranty since your name doesn't appear as owner. That's the case with Porsche/Stuggart.

2. BMW contact -- sorry, don't know anyone. I brought in a Boxster. I suggest you call them instead of emailing. My experience with UK sales people is that they are truly hopeless in response time. Expect a few days delay in every communication iteration.

3. Beware of factory collection/self-collect schemes. They are great, but frowned upon by LTA. If you put miles on the car while in UK, they will consider the car used and tax you USD10K extra.
 
Re: Self Importation - Advice / Join me

Hi guys.

BMW Parklane just called me and told me that there is aboslutely no way for them to export a BMW to any country other than those in the EU.

Har????

Then where do our parallel importers bring in their BMWs from?
 
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