UK Vehicle Export Guide 2026: DVLA, HMRC and Shipping

This guide is written for UK residents and dealers who want to export a passenger car, 4x4, motorcycle, classic, motorhome or light commercial vehicle from Great Britain in 2026. It covers the full workflow from the moment you decide to export to the day the bill of lading is issued in the destination port.

If you are buying a vehicle at a UK auction, relocating overseas, returning home with a car or running a regular export operation, the same legal framework applies. Northern Ireland exporters should follow the same export rules but check the Windsor Framework where movements transit the EU.

1. Confirm the vehicle is legally yours and free of finance.
2. Notify DVLA by completing section 5 of the V5C (the V5C/4 — Notification of Permanent Export) and posting it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD.
3. Apply for a GB EORI number through HMRC if you do not already have one.
4. File a CDS export declaration before the vehicle leaves the UK.
5. Book port handling and ocean freight at Southampton, Tilbury, Liverpool or Felixstowe.
6. Hand over keys, take dated photos, collect the dock receipt.
7. Receive the Bill of Lading from your freight forwarder.
8. Track the vessel and hand the documents to your buyer or import agent at the destination.

Missing any one of these steps will delay loading. The most common reason exports miss a sailing is the CDS declaration being filed late or with the wrong VIN.

DVLA must be told the vehicle is leaving the UK permanently. Use section 5 of the V5C, tear off the V5C/4 slip, complete the destination country, date of export and signature, and post it to DVLA. Keep a photocopy and a photo of the slip before posting.

If the V5C is missing, apply for a duplicate using form V62 at least four weeks before export. Vehicles cannot be exported on a green slip alone; the buyer needs the export-stamped V5C reference for foreign registration. Read more in our documents required to export a car from the UK guide.

From 2026 every export of goods, including a private vehicle on a Bill of Lading, requires a CDS (Customs Declaration Service) entry. To file one you need:

- A GB EORI number — free from HMRC, issued within 5 working days.
• The vehicle commodity code (8703 for passenger cars, 8711 for motorcycles, 8704 for light commercial).
• VIN, make, model, fuel, engine size, CIF value, port of loading and destination.

Most shipping lines and forwarders, including Ship Cars RoRo, will file the CDS declaration as part of your booking. You remain the declarant of record so the data you provide must match the V5C exactly.

Three commercial methods cover almost every UK export:

- RoRo shipping — drive on, drive off. Cheapest and fastest for running cars, vans and motorcycles. No personal items allowed inside.
• Container shipping — sole-use 20ft or 40ft. Best for classics, luxury, modified and non-running vehicles. Personal effects allowed.
• Shared container shipping — your car shares a 40ft with one to three others. Container-grade protection at near-RoRo prices.

Decide first on protection level and budget, then check the live RoRo sailing schedule for the route. For a fast indicative quote use the shipping cost calculator.

Southampton handles the largest volume of UK car exports through Hoegh, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, K Line and Grimaldi. Tilbury is the primary East-Coast RoRo port, popular for Africa and the Middle East. Liverpool covers North America and West Africa. Felixstowe and London Gateway dominate container shipping. Inland delivery onto a port is part of our recovery network — see nationwide vehicle transportation.

Typical 2026 UK export pricing for a standard saloon:

- RoRo to Dubai: from £695
• RoRo to Lagos: from £750
• Shared container to Sydney: from £2,150
• Sole 20ft to Toronto: from £2,650
• Sole 20ft to Mombasa: from £2,450

On top of ocean freight you should budget for UK CDS declaration (£25–£60), port handling (£90–£160), marine insurance (1.5–2.5% of the CIF value), and destination charges payable in the import country. See the international car shipping costs guide for a full breakdown.

- Posting the V5C/4 after the ship has sailed (DVLA may delay buyer registration).
• Declaring the wrong commodity code, triggering an HMRC query and missed cut-off.
• Leaving personal items in a RoRo car — the line will refuse loading.
• Underdeclaring the CIF value to reduce duty — illegal and uninsurable.
• Forgetting the second key set, which import countries often require for registration.

Ship Cars RoRo handles the full UK export process: DVLA notification check, CDS declaration, port booking, marine insurance and Bill of Lading. Call or WhatsApp +44 (0)1495 320540, email info@shipcarsroro.co.uk or request a free written quote.

Before any international shipment, vehicles need to reach the loading port — and many customers ask us to handle the UK leg too. Our recovery and transport network covers every postcode, 24 hours a day.

Start with the main hubs: Car Recovery UK, Vehicle Recovery UK, 24/7 Breakdown Recovery and Nationwide Vehicle Transportation.

City coverage includes London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield and Bristol.

Pre-book a port run on a flatbed transporter from Southampton, Portsmouth, Liverpool or Felixstowe via Ipswich, or call 24/7 for breakdown recovery in London, Birmingham or Manchester.