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Thinking about importing a motorhome from Germany, France, Spain, or anywhere in Europe? Whether you want to buy a motorhome in Germany and bring it to the UK, import a left-hand drive campervan from Europe, or you’re relocating to the UK with your motorhome, this guide covers everything you need to know about post-Brexit motorhome imports, customs clearance, and DVLA registration.
Why Import a Motorhome from Europe to the UK?
There are plenty of great reasons to import a campervan or motorhome from the EU:
- Better prices when you buy motorhomes in Germany, Netherlands, or France
- Wider selection, especially for premium brands like Hymer motorhome imports, Dethleffs, Bürstner, Adria, and Pilote
- Access to left-hand drive motorhomes if that’s your preference
- Bringing your own motorhome or campervan when relocating to the UK
- Finding rare vintage motorhomes or classic campervans not available in the UK market
- Taking advantage of favourable European motorhome prices and exchange rates
What’s Involved in Importing a Motorhome from EU After Brexit?
Since Brexit, all motorhome imports from EU countries require customs clearance and DVLA registration. Here’s the complete motorhome import process:
1. HMRC Customs Clearance for Motorhomes and Campervans + NOVA
Every motorhome or campervan coming from the EU needs to go through UK customs. As authorized HMRC customs agents specializing in vehicle imports, we’ll complete your customs entry, calculate any import charges, and ensure everything is handled correctly. Once HMRC bill is settled we apply for the NOVA.
2. Motorhome Transport from Europe to UK
You have several options for transporting your motorhome from Germany, France, or other EU countries:
- Drive it yourself – If you’re comfortable driving your motorhome in Europe and it’s roadworthy (Best option and most recommended)
- European motorhome transport – We can arrange professional transport on enclosed or open trailers from anywhere in Europe (More expensive but possible)
3 DVLA Motorhome Registration and V5C Logbook
Your imported motorhome needs to be registered with the DVLA to get UK number plates and a V5C logbook:
Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for Motorhomes – Most modern motorhomes need a European Certificate of Conformity from the manufacturer. We can source CoCs for Hymer, Dethleffs, Bürstner, Fiat-based motorhomes, and other brands.
4. Motorhome-Specific Import Considerations
Weight and License Requirements – Check if your motorhome’s weight requires a different driving license category. Motorhomes over 3,500kg (common for larger German motorhomes) may require a C1 license.
Habitation Check – While not mandatory for import, consider getting a habitation check to ensure gas, electric, and water systems are safe.
How Long Does Motorhome Import Take?
Timeline for importing a motorhome from EU to UK with full registration:
- HMRC customs clearance + NOVA: 3/5 working days.
- DVLA motorhome registration: 2 / 4 weeks (Depending on the DVLA)
Importing Specific Motorhome Brands from Europe
We regularly import all major European motorhome brands including:
- German motorhome imports: Hymer, Dethleffs, Bürstner, Knaus, Hobby
- French motorhome imports: Pilote, Rapido, Chausson, Challenger
- Italian motorhome imports: Adria, Roller Team, Rimor
- UK-registered motorhomes returning from EU
- Classic and vintage motorhome imports
- Left-hand drive campervans from Europe
Why Use Professional Motorhome Import Services?
Importing a motorhome involves coordinating HMRC customs, DVLA registration, testing stations, modification specialists, and European transport. When you work with specialist customs agents:
- Pre purchase inspections – Motorhomes can cost ££££, make sure you are buying right with our professional pre purchase inspection service.
- We handle all customs paperwork and HMRC import procedures
- Complete DVLA motorhome registration applications.
- Arrange European motorhome transport or collection services
- One point of contact for the entire motorhome import process
- Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
Importing Classic Motorhomes and Vintage Campervans
Importing a classic motorhome or vintage campervan over 30 years old? You’ll pay just 5% import VAT with no import duty due to the vehicle’s historical interest. We have extensive experience with classic motorhome DVLA registration and can source necessary documentation for vintage vehicles.
Import Motorhomes from Germany, France, Spain & All EU Countries
Whether you’re buying a German motorhome from a dealer, purchasing a French campervan privately, or relocating to the UK with your motorhome, we handle imports from all EU countries:
- Motorhome imports from Germany (largest market)
- Motorhome imports from France
- Motorhome imports from Netherlands
- Motorhome imports from Spain
- Motorhome imports from Italy
- Motorhome imports from Belgium, Austria, and all other EU countries
Ready to Import Your Motorhome to the UK?
Whether you’ve already purchased a Hymer in Germany, found a Pilote in France, or you’re searching for the perfect European motorhome, we can help. We’ll explain exactly what’s required for your specific vehicle, calculate complete import costs, and handle everything from HMRC customs clearance to final DVLA registration.
As specialist customs agents with decades of experience importing motorhomes and campervans from the EU, we make the process simple, transparent, and stress-free.
