Do I pay import duty on an Aston Martin from the UK?

That depends on origin. Under the EU UK trade agreement, cars of proven British origin pay no import duty. If origin cannot be shown, for example on a used car without an origin statement, the duty is 10 percent. Import VAT is always due.

Can I register a right hand drive Aston Martin in Europe?

In most European countries, yes. The headlights need adjusting for driving on the right. Keep in mind that right hand drive cars are harder to sell on the continent.

Does a classic Aston Martin qualify as a collector vehicle?

An Aston over 30 years old in original condition, such as a DB5, DB6 or V8 Vantage, often qualifies under the collector vehicle rules. That means no import duty and a reduced VAT rate in many EU countries.

Can an imported Aston Martin be registered anywhere in Europe?

Yes. Once cleared through customs in Rotterdam, the car can move freely within the EU. Registration is national, so each country has its own process. We arrange Dutch and German registration in house and advise on other countries.

How long does an Aston Martin import take?

From the UK the car arrives by road within a few days. From the US, shipping takes three to six weeks. Customs, conversion and inspection follow. You will get a realistic schedule with your quote.

Aston Martin import

Most European countries have only a handful of Aston Martin dealers. Even so, many enthusiasts buy their car abroad, and for good reason. In the United Kingdom and the United States the choice of used Vantages, DB11s and DBS models is many times larger. If you are looking for a classic such as a DB5 or an eighties V8 Vantage, you will find it almost only in England or America. Add left hand drive cars from the US and special editions that rarely come up on the continent, and it is easy to see why more buyers choose Aston Martin import. SCL Rotterdam handles everything from the pre purchase inspection to registration, wherever you are in Europe. And we tell you upfront whether importing actually pays off for your car.

Why import an Aston Martin?

The main reason is choice. The United Kingdom is Aston Martin's home market, with more used cars for sale than the rest of Europe combined. The US is a large market too, with plenty of left hand drive cars and often lower prices.

The second reason is cost, but that depends on where you live. Some countries, like the Netherlands, charge a registration tax based on CO2 emissions, which hits a V8 or V12 hard on a new car but is lower on a used one. Others, like Germany, have no registration tax at all. We work out the numbers for your country before you buy.

Popular Aston Martin models to import

Vantage, DB11 and DB12

The most frequently imported models. The Vantage is the pure sports car, while the DB11 and DB12 are the grand tourers with V8 or V12 power. The UK offers a wide choice, including rare colours and specifications.

DBS Superleggera and Vanquish

The V12 flagships. With these cars it pays to compare carefully, as prices and specifications vary widely between markets.

DBX and DBX707

Aston Martin's SUV, with up to 707 horsepower in the DBX707. Widely available used in the UK and the US.

Classics: DB4, DB5, DB6 and V8 Vantage

The DB5 is forever linked to James Bond, and the 1977 V8 Vantage was Britain's fastest production car. These classics are found mainly in England and the US, and they often qualify as collector vehicles, which makes importing them much cheaper.

Rare models

Think of the One-77, of which 77 were built, the Valkyrie or the Lagonda Taraf, which was first sold only in the Middle East. With cars like these, provenance and documentation are everything. We check both before you pay.

Where does your Aston Martin come from?

United Kingdom

Since Brexit, an Aston from England has to clear customs. Under the EU UK trade agreement, there is no import duty if the car is of proven British origin. If origin cannot be shown, for example on a used car without an origin statement, the duty is 10 percent. Import VAT is always due. Most British Astons are right hand drive, which is allowed in most countries but makes resale on the continent harder.

United States

A large supply, left hand drive and often keen prices. In return you pay 10 percent import duty plus import VAT, and the lighting and speedometer need adapting. A classic over 30 years old in original condition often qualifies as a collector vehicle, with no import duty and a reduced VAT rate in many EU countries.

What to know before you import an Aston Martin

Maintenance and inspection

Servicing a V12 or a classic is expensive, so a complete service history is worth a great deal. Have the car inspected before you pay, especially when buying from a distance.

Conversion and registration

A British car has headlights set for driving on the left, and an American car has different lighting and a speedometer in miles. Our workshop prepares the car for inspection, and we arrange Dutch and German registration in house.

How your Aston Martin import works

Advice first. We discuss the model, the country of origin, your destination country and a realistic cost estimate.
Purchase and inspection. We have the car inspected on site before you pay. Our payment service keeps the transaction safe.
Shipping. Your Aston travels in an enclosed trailer or a secured container. We strongly recommend transport insurance.
Customs clearance. We file the declaration and take care of origin documents or the collector vehicle rules.
Conversion and inspection. We adapt the car where needed and prepare it for inspection in your country.
Registration and delivery. We arrange registration where possible and deliver your Aston by road to your door, wherever you are in Europe.

You can follow every step in real time through our customer portal.

What does it cost to import an Aston Martin?

The final price is made up of the purchase price, transport, any import duty, import VAT, conversion work, inspection and registration. In countries with a CO2 based registration tax, that tax is often the largest single cost. Want to know where you will end up? Calculate your costs or ask us for a tailored quote.

Why SCL Rotterdam?

For more than 15 years we have been bringing cars and classics into Europe from all over the world. We know the customs rules for cars from the UK after Brexit and how to get an American car through inspection. Rotterdam is Europe's largest port and a natural gateway to the rest of the continent. Our customers rate us 9.2 out of 10 on average. And if buying from your local dealer is the smarter choice, we will tell you.

Bring your Aston Martin to Europe

Got your eye on a Vantage, DB12 or DB5? Call us on +31 10 427 77 20 or request a free quote. Within 24 hours you will know where you stand and whether an Aston Martin import is the right move for you.