🇺🇸➡️🇬🇧 Looking for Advice: Shipping my 2024 Type R (FL5) from USA (East Coast) to the UK

[Major Ram]

Hi all,
I’m reaching out to the community to get some first-hand advice and experiences from fellow car owners who have shipped their cars from the USA East Coast (Baltimore or New York) or anywhere in USA to the UK.

I currently own a 2024 Rallye Red Civic Type R (FL5),I’ll soon be transferring to the UK for work, and I’m exploring the possibility of taking the car with me rather than selling it here. There have been no modifications to the car whatsoever, except for aftermarket wheels.
I’ve received the Transfer of Residence (TOR) approval from the UK government, which should allow me to import my car tax and VAT-free. This means the main expenses I’m anticipating include shipping costs (either Roll-on/Roll-off or container shipping), insurance, and any mandatory modifications required to register the vehicle in the UK, such as compliance adjustments and the IVA test.
There may be a few additional costs I haven’t accounted for yet, so I’d really appreciate any insights or experiences from others who’ve gone through this process!

I’d love to hear from anyone who has:

• Shipped their car from the U.S. to the UK — how was your experience overall(roll-on/roll-off vs container)?
• Faced any challenges during shipping or import (documentation, customs, delays, insurance, etc.)
• Performed necessary conversions or modifications (lighting adjustments, speedometer, rear fog light, etc.) to make the car fully road legal in the UK. I am highly concerned about maintaining the quality, finish, and seamless integration of any modifications, ensuring nothing compromises the interior or exterior aesthetics of the car.
• Does anyone have recommendations for reputable workshops on the East Coast that can perform the mandatory UK compliance modifications before I ship the car?
• Used any trusted and reputable shipping companies or agents that you’d recommend based on your experience.
• Can provide an approximate total cost range (including shipping, import taxes, IVA/MOT requirements, registration, etc.).
• Which shipping company or agent did you use — and would you recommend them?
• Any surprises or headaches with customs, insurance, or the paperwork side?

I’m currently based in the Baltimore–Washington D.C. area, but I could also ship from New York if that makes things easier or cheaper.
Any insights, lessons learned, or “wish I knew this earlier” advice would be super helpful!

Thanks in advance for your time and help.
Pic for attention. Mods please let me know if any of the above needed information cannot be publicly discussed on the forums.

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[zoflaken]

Can't contribute any relevant knowledge, but I imagine driving a LHD car in a RHD country doesn't seem quite ideal

 

[thosport]

It's been a long time but I shipped my Honda Civic Si from Baltimore to the UK when I was in the military. I don't remember there being any major issues. Visibility sucks with a LHD car in the UK (think postal vehicle in the US) but you learn to work around it. The FL5 is a world market care so I don't think there would be too many modifications necessary. I would look into insurance for sure since I think that's going to be a major consideration.

 

[Major Ram]

It's been a long time but I shipped my Honda Civic Si from Baltimore to the UK when I was in the military. I don't remember there being any major issues. Visibility sucks with a LHD car in the UK (think postal vehicle in the US) but you learn to work around it. The FL5 is a world market care so I don't think there would be too many modifications necessary. I would look into insurance for sure since I think that's going to be a major consideration.

I've contacted two shipping+conversion companies and both of them mentioned that I would need to do headlight conversion so that the beam is flat and focused left aligned (Not sure how they are gonna do that) and the tail lights will need to have a fog light incorporated in it.

UK Light Conversion This is the process of converting the vehicles lighting spec to UK spec. This can include, disabling amber running light, fitting side indicators, separating the brake lights and indicators at the rear to separate bulbs, fitting a fog light system to the vehicle. We also have access to the testing data needed to show LED and HID headlights hold European approvals required to pass the testing.

£899.00

 

[MrB]

Torque GT in the UK might be worth speaking to. They are primarily a Japanese importer (they imported an R33 GTR for me a few years ago) but they may well be able to help.

 

[zymmer4]

Hi all,
I’m reaching out to the community to get some first-hand advice and experiences from fellow car owners who have shipped their cars from the USA East Coast (Baltimore or New York) or anywhere in USA to the UK.

I currently own a 2024 Rallye Red Civic Type R (FL5),I’ll soon be transferring to the UK for work, and I’m exploring the possibility of taking the car with me rather than selling it here. There have been no modifications to the car whatsoever, except for aftermarket wheels.
I’ve received the Transfer of Residence (TOR) approval from the UK government, which should allow me to import my car tax and VAT-free. This means the main expenses I’m anticipating include shipping costs (either Roll-on/Roll-off or container shipping), insurance, and any mandatory modifications required to register the vehicle in the UK, such as compliance adjustments and the IVA test.
There may be a few additional costs I haven’t accounted for yet, so I’d really appreciate any insights or experiences from others who’ve gone through this process!

I’d love to hear from anyone who has:

• Shipped their car from the U.S. to the UK — how was your experience overall(roll-on/roll-off vs container)?
• Faced any challenges during shipping or import (documentation, customs, delays, insurance, etc.)
• Performed necessary conversions or modifications (lighting adjustments, speedometer, rear fog light, etc.) to make the car fully road legal in the UK. I am highly concerned about maintaining the quality, finish, and seamless integration of any modifications, ensuring nothing compromises the interior or exterior aesthetics of the car.
• Does anyone have recommendations for reputable workshops on the East Coast that can perform the mandatory UK compliance modifications before I ship the car?
• Used any trusted and reputable shipping companies or agents that you’d recommend based on your experience.
• Can provide an approximate total cost range (including shipping, import taxes, IVA/MOT requirements, registration, etc.).
• Which shipping company or agent did you use — and would you recommend them?
• Any surprises or headaches with customs, insurance, or the paperwork side?

I’m currently based in the Baltimore–Washington D.C. area, but I could also ship from New York if that makes things easier or cheaper.
Any insights, lessons learned, or “wish I knew this earlier” advice would be super helpful!

Thanks in advance for your time and help.
Pic for attention. Mods please let me know if any of the above needed information cannot be publicly discussed on the forums.

I lived in UK for over 4 years..I knew many who drove LHD there..many were' Yank Tanks"..There were many accidents..Insurance will be high..MOT should not be a problem..You will be at an advantage having a LHD car that accellerates quickly to pass on B roads..All in all be careful and should be no problems..If it were me, I would sell it here, buy another one there..AAA can help you find one in the UK.