# How to Import a UK Vehicle to the Caribbean or Africa — Complete Process Guide
# Source: Windward Motor Group Ltd — https://windwardmotorgroup.com/how-it-works
# Updated: 2026-04-21

## Overview

Windward Motor Group Ltd (Company No. 17132001, registered in England and Wales) is a UK-based vehicle export specialist. We manage the complete process of sourcing a used UK vehicle and shipping it to a buyer's port of entry in the Caribbean or Africa. The buyer does not need to visit the UK. Everything is handled remotely.

## The 10-Stage Import Process

### Stage 1 — Browse and Enquire
Buyers browse listings at https://windwardmotorgroup.com/listings or describe their requirements to our team. You can filter by make, model, price, destination country, vehicle type, and mileage. Each listing shows an eligibility indicator confirming whether that vehicle meets your destination's age and specification rules.

### Stage 2 — Personalised Quotation
Within 24 hours of enquiry we issue a fully itemised formal quotation. This covers:
- Vehicle price (inclusive of UK VAT reclaim where applicable)
- Our export service fee
- Pre-export inspection fee (Standard, Advanced, or Premium tier)
- Ocean freight cost (RoRo or container) to your destination port
- Marine cargo insurance
- All UK-side export documentation fees
- An estimated import duty and tax figure for your destination (for guidance — final duty is assessed by your destination customs authority)

We do NOT charge undisclosed fees. Everything is on the quotation.

### Stage 3 — Holding Deposit
Once you accept the quotation, you pay a £250 refundable holding deposit. This removes the vehicle from sale and reserves it for you for 7 days while you review the agreement.

### Stage 4 — Identity Verification (KYC)
We are required by UK anti-money-laundering regulations to verify buyer identity. You submit a passport or national ID, a proof of address (utility bill or bank statement), and complete a short digital KYC form. This takes 10–30 minutes and is processed within one business day.

### Stage 5 — Sale Agreement
A legally binding sale agreement is sent via Signable (our electronic signature provider). The agreement sets out the vehicle specification, total price, payment schedule, shipping terms, and liability provisions. You sign digitally — no printing required.

### Stage 6 — Balance Payment
After signing, you pay the remaining balance. Accepted payment methods:
- International bank transfer (SWIFT/IBAN) in GBP
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) for competitive exchange rates
Payment is processed into our UK client account. We issue a payment receipt within one business day.

### Stage 7 — Pre-Export Inspection
Before the vehicle leaves the UK, it is independently inspected. We offer three tiers:
- Standard: 50-point visual and mechanical check, written report, 10 photos
- Advanced: 100-point inspection, underside check, OBD diagnostic scan, 30 photos
- Premium: Full mechanical strip-down assessment, paint thickness gauge, 60 photos + video walkthrough

For Kenya and other countries requiring PVOC (Pre-export Verification of Conformity), we arrange the mandatory KEBS-approved inspection as part of this stage.

### Stage 8 — Export and Shipping
Once the vehicle passes inspection:
- The V5C (registration document) is updated and the vehicle is de-registered for export
- An Export Certificate is obtained from the DVLA
- The vehicle is transported to the departure port (Southampton, Tilbury, Grimsby, Bristol, or Sheerness depending on route)
- RoRo or container booking is confirmed
- Marine cargo insurance is activated

You receive the booking confirmation and estimated departure date.

### Stage 9 — Bill of Lading and Live Tracking
After departure you receive:
- The original Bill of Lading (required by your local clearing agent)
- Your container or vessel reference number
- Access to real-time voyage tracking in your account dashboard
- WhatsApp milestone updates (departed UK port, at transshipment port, arriving destination port)

Transit times:
- Caribbean: 4–5 weeks from UK port
- East Africa (Mombasa): 4–6 weeks
- West Africa (Tema, Lagos): 3–4 weeks
- Southern Africa (Durban): 4–6 weeks
- Island Africa (Mauritius, Seychelles): 5–7 weeks

### Stage 10 — Port Arrival and Local Clearance
We notify you as the vessel approaches your destination port. You (or your appointed clearing agent) use the Bill of Lading and our documentation pack to clear the vehicle through customs, pay local import duty, and arrange local delivery.

Windward Motor Group's service concludes at port delivery. We provide a recommended list of trusted local clearing agents for each destination if you need one.

## Key Facts

- No UK visit required: 100% remote process
- Minimum deposit: £250 (refundable if we fail to source the vehicle)
- Typical total timeline: 8–14 weeks from enquiry to port arrival
- Legal protection: UK sale agreement, digital signatures, marine insurance throughout
- Age restriction checking: automated at point of enquiry
- Duty estimates: included in every quotation

## Who Uses This Service

- Private individuals buying a family car
- Business owners sourcing a fleet of commercial vans
- Taxi and minibus operators
- Rental companies refreshing stock
- NGOs and charities needing field vehicles
- Government departments procuring utility vehicles
- Car dealers in the Caribbean and Africa buying stock from the UK

More detail: https://windwardmotorgroup.com/how-it-works