The following information is intended only as a guide regarding the Customs requirements in relation to the importation of motor vehicles into the Bailiwick of Guernsey. This guidance in no way overrides local legislation or European Community Regulations. It should be noted that there are heavy penalties for making false declarations including possible forfeiture of the vehicle.
Permanent importation
- 1. Vehicles that are in 'free circulation' within the European Community (EC) will be admitted without any Customs Import Duty charges. (Free circulation means wholly obtained or produced in the customs territory of the Community, or imported from countries outside the Community and have paid EC Import Duty, or a combination of both)
- From the UK vehicles registered in the normal series (i.e. not subject to any Customs controls) - on arrival a verbal declaration to Guernsey Customs is all that is required.
- From an EC country other than the UK vehicles registered in the normal series (i.e. not subject to any Customs controls) - the registration document, and if applicable, an invoice must be produced to the Customs Office.
- 2. Vehicles not in 'free circulation' within the European Community will be subject to Customs Import Duty charges.
- From the EC including the UK an Import Declaration must be completed to clear the vehicle and import duty will be charged. The value on which duty calculations are made is based on the invoiced price.
- From outside the EC or UK an Import Declaration must be completed to clear the vehicle and import duty will be charged. The value on which duty calculations are made is based on a C.I.F. price (cost, insurance, and freight - freight being up to the first point of call in the EC). All documents relating to the vehicle, including invoice must be produced to the Customs Office.
- 3. Persons moving their residence to Guernsey from outside the European Community.
- Transfer of Residence relief of Customs Import Duty for private motor vehicles imported from outside the EC is available subject to certain conditions -
- the owner must have been resident outside the EC for at least 12 months and must be intending to transfer their place of residence to Guernsey,
- the vehicle must have borne taxes in the country from which it has come,
- the importer has possessed and used the vehicle for at least 6 months outside the EC,
- the vehicle is being imported not more than 12 months after the importer's transfer of residence,
- the importer signs an undertaking to keep the vehicle for their own personal use for a further 12 months before disposing of it.
- An Import Declaration and a Declaration of Undertaking (C17) form must be completed. Proof of ownership of the vehicle for 6 months must be provided. 'Import Declaration' means all goods imported into Guernsey from outside the EC are subject to the same rate of Customs duty as would be charged if being imported into an EC country. An Import Declaration must be made by the importer or his agent within three days of the goods arriving in the Island. From this declaration, duty assessment is made and after payment the goods are released. A 'Declaration of Undertaking (C17)' form means - a declaration giving full details of the vehicle and an undertaking to keep it for 12 months for personal use. The C17 form is available as a download on this page.
- PLEASE NOTE
- A one-off First Registration Duty will be applied to all 'new' and 'second-hand' vehicles being imported and registered in Guernsey for the first time. However, certain 'low emission' vehicles will be zero rated. The 'First Registration Duty - Public Advice Note' details the charges that will be applied at the point of registering the vehicle and provides information on exemptions and preferential rates that apply is available in the download section on this page.
Temporary Importation
- Under International Circulation Laws a motor vehicle registered outside the Island may be temporarily imported into the Island by any person if at the date of their entry into the Island that person: -
- is resident outside the Island; and
- intends to depart finally from the Island usually within 6 months from the date of their entry; and
- the motor vehicle is intended solely for their or their dependant's personal use or that of some other entitled person.
- A vehicle temporarily imported may not be hired, pledged, given away, exchanged, sold or otherwise disposed of in the Island. It must leave within 12 months from the date of arrival, unless Customs clearance is granted.
- This temporary importation is for visitors only. A visitor is a person who does not have a residence in the Islands and is not moving to the Island to take up residence.
Vehicle Ownership
- For further information on vehicle transactions and first registration duty based on vehicle emissions click here: Vehicle ownership
- Follow this link to contact us if you'd like more information or guidance.
