Importing a motorhome or campervan from Europe to the UK — customs clearance, IVA and DVLA registration

A motorhome bought in Poland, Germany or the Netherlands — the dream of many travel enthusiasts. Before you load up your belongings and head through the Channel, however, make sure your motorhome has gone through the correct import procedure. Importing a motorhome to the UK involves several parallel processes: customs clearance, a NOVA declaration, the IVA procedure and DVLA registration. Skipping any one of them can cause problems with insurance, MOT or legal registration.

Motorhome, campervan, caravan — distinctions that matter for import

Before we get into the procedures, let us establish the terminology — because UK law treats these vehicles differently:

Vehicle	UK definition	Category	Key procedure
Motorhome / Motorcaravan	Self-propelled vehicle with a habitation section	M1 (special purpose)	IVA or GB Conversion IVA
Campervan	Van/bus converted into a habitation vehicle	M1 or N1	IVA or GB Conversion IVA
Caravan / Touring Caravan	Towed habitation trailer	O2	IVA for O2, different rules
Motorised Caravan (small camper)	Motor vehicle with minimal habitation bodywork	M1	Same as motorhome

Key distinction: motorhomes and campervans are self-propelled vehicles — they are subject to the same procedures as passenger cars. A caravan is a trailer — entirely different rules apply (covered in the article [LINK: Importing a light trailer to the UK — IVA for category O1 and O2]).

This article focuses on motorhomes and campervans imported from Europe.

Customs classification of a motorhome — HS code and duty

A motorhome imported to the UK is classified under HS 8703 — motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, including station wagons and racing cars.

For motorhomes and campervans, subheadings are applied depending on engine capacity:

HS Code	Engine type / capacity	UK duty rate
8703 21	Petrol, up to 1,000 cc	6.5%
8703 22	Petrol, 1,001–1,500 cc	6.5%
8703 23	Petrol, 1,501–3,000 cc	6.5%
8703 24	Petrol, over 3,000 cc	6.5%
8703 31	Diesel, up to 1,500 cc	6.5%
8703 32	Diesel, 1,501–2,500 cc	6.5%
8703 33	Diesel, over 2,500 cc	6.5%

On top of duty you add 20% import VAT calculated on the CIF value (price + transport + insurance).

Example calculation for a motorhome valued at £40,000:

Item	Amount
CIF customs value	£40,000
Duty 6.5%	£2,600
VAT 20% (on value + duty)	£8,520
Easy Clearance customs clearance	£45–150
NOVA declaration	free
Total taxes and charges	~£11,165

Note: If you qualify for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, you may avoid duty and VAT. See the section below.

The figures above are indicative — an exact quote is provided once documents have been submitted.

NOVA Declaration — the mandatory first step

NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrivals) is a declaration submitted to HMRC, mandatory for every motor vehicle imported to the UK. Without it, the DVLA will refuse to register the vehicle.

You submit the NOVA declaration online via gov.uk — free of charge. Once submitted, you receive a NOVA number, which you will need for the V55/5 application to the DVLA.

Timing: the NOVA declaration should be submitted as soon as possible after the vehicle arrives in the UK — before it is registered or sold.

Who submits NOVA? - A private individual importing their own motorhome - A company importing vehicles commercially (each one separately) - A dealer of imported vehicles

The declaration covers: vehicle details (VIN, make, model, year), owner details, country and date of import.

GB Conversion IVA or full IVA for a motorhome?

For a motorhome imported from the EU with a valid EU type approval, the route is analogous to that for passenger cars:

GB Conversion IVA — the correct option when: - The motorhome holds a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the manufacturer (Fiat, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Hymer, Knaus, Dethleffs, etc.) - The EU type approval is still current - The vehicle is less than 8 years old or the manufacturer's type approval still applies

Full IVA — required when: - No EU type approval or CoC is available - The motorhome was individually converted (e.g. a van converted by its owner) - Non-standard — the vehicle has been substantially modified from the original specification - An older (vintage) motorhome for which a CoC can no longer be obtained

What does a DVSA inspector check on a motorhome?

GB Conversion IVA for a motorhome verifies the same elements as for passenger cars, plus items specific to the habitation bodywork:

Standard elements (as for M1): - Headlamps — adapted for left-hand traffic - Speedometer — scale in mph - Exhaust emissions — compliance with CoC data - VIN plate and manufacturer's plates

Elements specific to motorhomes: - Seat belts on all passenger seats (including those in the cab and in the habitation area if there is a travel seat) - Emergency exits and escape windows — minimum dimensions in line with UK requirements - Fire extinguishers and LPG gas detectors (if the vehicle has a gas installation) - Gas cylinder fixings — safety and ventilation - Electrical installation — safety of 12 V and 230 V systems (where applicable)

Motorhome with an LPG installation — requires an additional gas inspection by a GasSafe-certified technician after arrival in the UK. This is a separate procedure from the IVA.

Documents required for customs clearance of a motorhome

Prepare a full set of documents before shipping:

Customs documents (mandatory): - Commercial invoice — including VIN, description, value and year of manufacture - CMR (road transport) or AWB/B/L (other modes of transport) - Registration document from the country of export (e.g. Polish vehicle registration card or Fahrzeugschein) - Importer's EORI number

Documents for DVSA and DVLA: - Certificate of Conformity (CoC) — order from the manufacturer or an authorised dealer - Established manufacturers (Hymer, Dethleffs, Knaus, Adria) usually provide CoC documents online for £50–150 - Proof of ownership (purchase invoice or sales agreement)

Additional documents (where applicable): - Gas installation documentation (for a motorhome with LPG) - Service history / technical inspection records (helpful in the event of disputes over customs value)

Registering a motorhome with the DVLA — from IVA certificate to V5C

After successfully passing GB Conversion IVA or the full IVA and submitting the NOVA declaration, you can proceed to registration:

1. Complete form V55/5 — available on gov.uk or at post offices
2. Attach the documents: IVA certificate, CoC, NOVA number, proof of ownership, proof of identity
3. Pay the First Registration Fee — one-off charge (£55)
4. Pay VED (vehicle excise duty) — annual road tax, dependent on CO2 emissions
5. Receive the V5C (logbook) — UK registration document confirming your ownership
6. Number plates — order from an authorised supplier once you have received the registration number

MOT for a motorhome: the first MOT is required three years after the date of first registration in the UK (or from the date of manufacture, depending on the DVLA's interpretation — worth confirming). A motorhome with a Polish roadworthiness certificate is not exempt from the MOT in the UK.

Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief — when can you avoid duty and VAT?

If you are relocating permanently to the UK and bringing a motorhome as part of your personal effects, you may be eligible for Transfer of Residence (ToR) Relief:

Conditions for ToR relief: - The motorhome has been in your ownership for at least 6 months before relocation - It was registered in your name and used by you personally - You are transferring your main place of residence to the UK (not temporarily) - You apply before bringing the vehicle to the UK or within 12 months of the relocation

You apply for ToR Relief to HMRC (form C3 or through the online system). The relief can save several thousand pounds on a higher-value motorhome.