# Comprehensive FAQ — Windward Motor Group UK Vehicle Export Service
# Source: https://windwardmotorgroup.com/faq
# Updated: 2026-04-21

## About Windward Motor Group

Q: What is Windward Motor Group?
A: Windward Motor Group is a UK-registered vehicle export company (Windward Motor Group Ltd, Company No. 17132001) that sources quality used vehicles from across the UK and ships them to buyers in the Caribbean and Africa. We handle the full process: sourcing, inspection, documentation, shipping, and post-shipment support.

Q: Is Windward Motor Group a UK-registered company?
A: Yes. Windward Motor Group Ltd is registered at Companies House (England and Wales), Company Number 17132001, with a registered address at 4 Newmans Row, Lincoln Road, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, England, HP12 3RE.

Q: What countries does Windward Motor Group ship to?
A: Caribbean: Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Belize, Guyana, Suriname, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos, Montserrat, Anguilla.
Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mauritius, Seychelles.

Q: How do I contact Windward Motor Group?
A: Via the website at https://windwardmotorgroup.com/fleet-enquiry. You can submit an enquiry, request a callback, or chat with our AI assistant. WhatsApp contact is available for buyers who prefer messaging.

Q: Is the process safe? Can I trust Windward Motor Group?
A: Yes. All transactions are protected by a legally binding UK sale agreement signed through Signable. Vehicles are covered by marine cargo insurance throughout transit. We conduct KYC (identity verification) on all buyers in compliance with UK anti-money-laundering regulations. We are a registered UK company with a physical UK address.

## The Import Process

Q: How does the process work?
A: Browse listings → enquire → receive a personalised quote → pay £250 holding deposit → KYC identity check → sign digital sale agreement → pay balance → pre-export inspection → export and shipping → receive Bill of Lading and tracking → vehicle arrives at your port. Full guide at https://windwardmotorgroup.com/how-it-works.

Q: How long does the process take from enquiry to port arrival?
A: Typically 8–14 weeks total. Vehicle sourcing: 1–2 weeks. Inspection: 3–7 days. Shipping: 3–6 weeks depending on destination. Allow an additional 1–4 weeks for port clearance and local delivery on your end.

Q: Do I need to visit the UK?
A: No. The entire process is managed remotely. Documents are signed digitally, payments are made by bank transfer or Wise, and we coordinate all UK-side logistics on your behalf.

Q: Can I source a specific vehicle I have in mind?
A: Yes. If you know the make, model, year, colour, or specification you want, contact us and we will source it from the UK market on your behalf. This is our Bespoke Sourcing service.

Q: Can I buy more than one vehicle at a time?
A: Yes. We offer a Fleet Purchase service for 2+ vehicles. Buyers purchasing 3 or more vehicles receive a reduced per-vehicle shipping rate and dedicated account management. See https://windwardmotorgroup.com/fleet-enquiry.

Q: What happens after I pay the deposit?
A: The vehicle is reserved for 7 days. During this period you complete KYC identity verification and review the sale agreement. Once the agreement is signed and balance is paid, we arrange the pre-export inspection and export documentation.

Q: What if the vehicle I want becomes unavailable?
A: If a vehicle is no longer available before your deposit is applied, we either offer an equivalent alternative or return your full deposit within 3 business days.

## Costs and Payments

Q: What does the total cost include?
A: Vehicle price + export service fee + inspection fee + shipping (ocean freight) + marine insurance + UK export documentation. Import duty, local customs clearance fees, and destination-side delivery are additional and are your responsibility.

Q: How much is the deposit?
A: A flat £250 refundable holding deposit. This is fully refundable if we fail to source or confirm the vehicle.

Q: Is the deposit refundable?
A: Yes, if we are unable to procure or confirm the vehicle. If you cancel after a vehicle has been purchased on your behalf, a cancellation fee applies as detailed in the sale agreement.

Q: What are typical total landed costs including duty?
A: Examples:
- Toyota Hilux 2020 to Barbados: ~£37,000–42,000 (vehicle £19,500 + shipping £1,750 + Barbados duty 45% + VAT 17.5%)
- Nissan Leaf 40kWh to Barbados: ~£23,000–26,000
- Toyota Land Cruiser V8 to Kenya: ~£70,000–80,000 (high Kenyan excise on large engines)
- Ford Transit van to Trinidad: ~£25,000–28,000

Q: How do I pay?
A: International bank transfer (SWIFT/IBAN) in GBP, or via Wise for better exchange rates.

Q: Can I pay in my local currency?
A: We price in GBP. You pay in GBP via bank transfer. Wise users see their local currency equivalent at time of transfer and can send from their local currency account.

Q: Are there hidden fees?
A: No. All fees are itemised in your quotation before you commit. There are no hidden charges on the UK side. Local import duty and clearance fees at your destination are your responsibility.

## Import Duty

Q: How is import duty calculated?
A: On CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight). Duty is assessed and collected by your destination country's customs authority — not by us. We provide estimates but the final amount is set by customs.

Q: What are typical duty rates?
A: Caribbean: 5–75% depending on country (Antigua 5–10%, Barbados 45%, Jamaica 30%, Bahamas up to 75%). Africa: 15–70%+ depending on country and vehicle engine size. See https://windwardmotorgroup.com/context/duty-tables for the full table.

Q: Does my destination have age restrictions on imported vehicles?
A: Yes. Common restrictions: Barbados 5 years, Jamaica 5 years, Trinidad 4–5 years, Kenya 8 years, Ghana 10 years, Zimbabwe 10 years. We check eligibility automatically for your chosen destination on every listing.

Q: Do electric vehicles get preferential duty rates?
A: Several countries offer reduced or zero import duty on BEVs (battery electric vehicles) — including Barbados, Mauritius, and Kenya (excise exemption). Confirm at time of enquiry.

Q: What documents do I need to clear customs?
A: Original Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Export Certificate, PVOC certificate (where required), V5C copy, Import Declaration form (prepared by your clearing agent). We supply all UK-side documents.

Q: What is a PVOC certificate?
A: Pre-export Verification of Conformity — a mandatory inspection certificate required by Kenya (KEBS), Ghana (GSA), Tanzania (TBS), Uganda (UNBS), and Rwanda (RBS). We arrange it with UK-based PVOC-authorised inspectors.

## Vehicle Quality and Inspection

Q: Are vehicles inspected before shipping?
A: Yes. All vehicles undergo a pre-export inspection before shipping. We offer three tiers: Standard (50-point check, £175–225), Advanced (100-point + OBD scan + paint gauge, £295–375), and Premium (full mechanical assessment + EV battery health, £495–695).

Q: What is a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) vehicle?
A: CPO vehicles have passed our Advanced inspection, are HPI clear, have no write-off history, have genuine mileage, and are maximum 5 years old. They carry the "WMG Certified" badge and include a 3-month mechanical warranty.

Q: What is an HPI check?
A: A UK database check confirming the vehicle has no outstanding finance, is not stolen, is not a write-off, and has no mileage discrepancy. All listed vehicles have been HPI checked.

Q: What are JDM vehicles?
A: Japanese Domestic Market vehicles sourced from Japanese auctions. They typically have lower mileage, better service history, and are right-hand drive. Condition is graded 1–5 (5 = near-mint). We recommend Grade 4 and above.

Q: Can the vehicle fail inspection after I've paid the deposit?
A: Yes. If a vehicle fails our minimum safety standards, we will not ship it. You will be offered a full deposit refund or an alternative vehicle.

Q: Can I do my own independent inspection?
A: Yes. If you have a UK-based contact or inspector of your own, you can arrange an independent inspection in addition to (or instead of) ours. We facilitate access to the vehicle.

## Shipping

Q: How are vehicles shipped?
A: RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) for standard vehicles, or Full Container Load (FCL) for high-value, classic, or EV vehicles. RoRo is lower cost; container provides full protection.

Q: Which UK ports do you ship from?
A: Southampton, Tilbury, Bristol, Grimsby, Sheerness — depending on the route and vessel schedule.

Q: Can I track my vehicle?
A: Yes. After departure you receive your Bill of Lading reference and container/vessel number for real-time voyage tracking. We also send WhatsApp updates at key milestones.

Q: What if my vehicle is damaged in transit?
A: All vehicles are covered under our open marine cargo insurance (Institute Cargo Clauses A — All Risks). We manage claims on your behalf in the UK.

Q: Can I put personal items in the vehicle?
A: For container shipments, personal effects up to 25% of container volume are permitted under UK export rules. No personal effects are permitted in RoRo vehicles.

## After Purchase

Q: Do I need a local clearing agent?
A: For most destinations, yes. A clearing agent handles the import formalities at your destination port — they prepare the import declaration, pay duty on your behalf, and release the vehicle. We can recommend trusted clearing agents in most of our 37 destination markets.

Q: Can I get a warranty after delivery?
A: Yes. Extended warranty packages are available for CPO and eligible standard vehicles, valid in your destination country through our partner network. Ask at enquiry stage.

Q: How do I register the vehicle in my country?
A: Your clearing agent or local transport authority handles registration. Requirements vary by country. We provide all the UK export documentation needed for the application.

Q: What if something goes wrong after delivery?
A: Contact us. For mechanical issues covered by CPO warranty, we coordinate with our local partner network. For any dispute about the sale, the UK sale agreement governs the process.

## Fleet and Business Buyers

Q: Can I order a fleet of vehicles?
A: Yes. We specialise in fleet orders for taxi companies, rental agencies, NGOs, government departments, and corporate buyers. Volume discounts apply at 3+ vehicles. Contact us at https://windwardmotorgroup.com/fleet-enquiry.

Q: Do you work with dealers in the Caribbean and Africa?
A: Yes. Our Dealer Programme allows approved Caribbean and Africa dealers to list their stock requirements, receive priority sourcing, and access trade pricing. See https://windwardmotorgroup.com/dealers.

Q: Can NGOs and charities use Windward Motor Group?
A: Yes. We support NGOs and charities purchasing vehicles for field operations, particularly in East and Southern Africa. We are familiar with the documentation requirements for charitable importers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

More: https://windwardmotorgroup.com/faq