I am a student moving to study in the UK. Can I take my car?

If you are a Jersey student studying the United Kingdom you can import the following goods temporarily under duty/tax relief and export them at the end of your course of study:

• a motor vehicle;
• belongings;
• clothing and household linen;
• articles for you to use in your studies; and
• household effects for furnishing your rooms.

The rules of duty/tax relief are:

• the goods are declared to HM Customs and Excise on importation;
• they are for you use alone, or use by a visitor, including members of your family who are residents outside the EC, while you are staying in the EC;
• they are brought in with you;
• the vehicle is registered outside the EC or, if not registered belongs to you or someone else who normally lives outside the EC;
• you do not sell, lend or hire them out or otherwise dispose of them in the EC;
• they are exported when you leave the United Kingdom at the end of your course of study.

To declare goods you must do the following:

a) If you bring your goods or vehicle in with you, you must go into the Customs Red Channel and tell an officer. A list of belongings you wish to declare can be helpful but the officer may still want to question you or to examine the goods. If an officer is not available you must contact the Customs Office in the area you are residing in the United Kingdom.

b) If imported separately you must fill in and sign a customs form as follows:

• Form C3 for your belongings; or
• Form C104F if you are importing your private vehicle into the United Kingdom for a temporary period.

Duty free allowances do not apply to goods imported separately.

Most people employ a shipping agent to look after their needs if they cannot deal with Customs in person.

For further information please refer to the HM Customs web site www.hmce.gov.uk