Shipping a Grenadier from Australia to the UK

[Squizz]

We're setting out on The Big Lap of Australia in a couple of weeks. The starting point is Pyrmont NSW 2009, which is pretty much Sydney city centre. Our belongings are being packed away by a shipping company and will be stored in Australia while we fumble our way around this big land towing a Conqueror UEV-14. At the end of our journey, we'll end up back in Sydney where we will swap a few things out from the storage facility. They will put the Grenadier in the storage container with our belongings. We'll fly to the UK and await its arrival to Bristol. I contemplated selling it and just buying another one but it's only $4,500 extra to ship the car with our stuff. I've made a ton of mods to it like King shocks, Brown Davis fuel tank, Wolfbox mirror, tow pro, Switch Pros, Victron panel, roof rack, starlink mini, throttle controller... lots of stuff. I really like this car. I like driving it. I'd be reluctant to part with it.

My question is, has anyone shipped a Grenadier from Australia to the UK? If so, what should I expect from the UK customs or import people? We've had the Grenadier for over a year so we won't get charged VAT (GST). The steering wheel is on the correct side. The odometer can be changed to MPH with a couple of settings. What else might they want? With the installation of the Brown Davis fuel tank they had to cut out that huge muffler. I've still got it. Should I keep it in case they want me to put back or can I bin it?

We'll be selling the 2024 Conqueror UEV-14 at the end of the journey. I'd like to have taken it but it's $14K to ship it and perhaps not the best option for camping in the UK.

 

[globalgregors]

We're setting out on The Big Lap of Australia in a couple of weeks. The starting point is Pyrmont NSW 2009, which is pretty much Sydney city centre. Our belongings are being packed away by a shipping company and will be stored in Australia while we fumble our way around this big land towing a Conqueror UEV-14. At the end of our journey, we'll end up back in Sydney where we will swap a few things out from the storage facility. They will put the Grenadier in the storage container with our belongings. We'll fly to the UK and await its arrival to Bristol. I contemplated selling it and just buying another one but it's only $4,500 extra to ship the car with our stuff. I've made a ton of mods to it like King shocks, Brown Davis fuel tank, Wolfbox mirror, tow pro, Switch Pros, Victron panel, roof rack, starlink mini, throttle controller... lots of stuff. I really like this car. I like driving it. I'd be reluctant to part with it.

My question is, has anyone shipped a Grenadier from Australia to the UK? If so, what should I expect from the UK customs or import people? We've had the Grenadier for over a year so we won't get charged VAT (GST). The steering wheel is on the correct side. The odometer can be changed to MPH with a couple of settings. What else might they want? With the installation of the Brown Davis fuel tank they had to cut out that huge muffler. I've still got it. Should I keep it in case they want me to put back or can I bin it?

We'll be selling the 2024 Conqueror UEV-14 at the end of the journey. I'd like to have taken it but it's $14K to ship it and perhaps not the best option for camping in the UK.

Just to confirm, are you importing to the UK intending to reside there henceforth?

We haven’t done this, however my understanding is that with a Transfer of Residence (ToR), you can import with no duty and no VAT if you’ve lived in Australia for at least 12 months and owned the vehicle for at least 6 months,

Temporary import is a different process and super easy.

Should be able to check whether the DVLA type approval covers the Australia-spec Grenadier and complate a NOVA declaration which your shipper will be able to facilitate.

 

[bigleonski]

Just a novice comment, but the only difference (which could lead to complications) would be the front bumper, and if you’ve fitted a factory bullbar.

 

[landmannnn]

Importing a vehicle is set out here.

Importing vehicles into the UK

Steps you must follow when importing vehicles into the UK, including making an import declaration, paying VAT and duty and telling HMRC using the NOVA service.

www.gov.uk

In many cases the IVA (individual vehicle approval) can be a challenge. I would consider that you would only need a basic IVA as the Oz spec is pretty close to the EU/UK spec.

 

[Squizz]

Just to confirm, are you importing to the UK intending to reside there henceforth?

We haven’t done this, however my understanding is that with a Transfer of Residence (ToR), you can import with no duty and no VAT if you’ve lived in Australia for at least 12 months and owned the vehicle for at least 6 months,

Temporary import is a different process and super easy.

Should be able to check whether the DVLA type approval covers the Australia-spec Grenadier and complate a NOVA declaration which your shipper will be able to facilitate.

We are originally from the UK. We've been in Australia for 5 1/2 years. Our visas run out April 2026.

I recon there might be some things to do to it but nothing crazy. I'll do some research and report back what I find.

 

[Tom D]

I doubt they'd notice the bumper issue... Just crack on I'd say.

 

[Logsplitter]

The auxiliary fuel tank shouldn’t be an issue if the exhaust has been cut from the CAT back that is the emissions hardware is still in place. I’m having a LRA auxiliary fuel tank put in shortly and the exhaust mods have a resonator so sound not much louder.
Time will tell when it comes to MOT time I guess.

 

[DenisM]

Seems an extraordinary increase in price to move the Conqueror van vs the Grenadier... can't the van fit in a container like the Gren ?

 

[globalgregors]

We are originally from the UK. We've been in Australia for 5 1/2 years. Our visas run out April 2026.

I recon there might be some things to do to it but nothing crazy. I'll do some research and report back what I find.

Awesome. Best of luck for the Big Lap!

 

[Squizz]

Seems an extraordinary increase in price to move the Conqueror van vs the Grenadier... can't the van fit in a container like the Gren ?

The Conqueror van won't fit in a container. :-( It's too tall and too wide.

 

[Squizz]

The auxiliary fuel tank shouldn’t be an issue if the exhaust has been cut from the CAT back that is the emissions hardware is still in place. I’m having a LRA auxiliary fuel tank put in shortly and the exhaust mods have a resonator so sound not much louder.
Time will tell when it comes to MOT time I guess.

I didn't notice any difference in the loudness at all. I've still got the muffler. It is huge. I still can't believe they cut all that out and it sounds the same.

 

[Ventus1]

why not drive it back?

 

[Squizz]

why not drive it back?

That comment has raised a lot of very interesting conversations. My partner and I just kicked off The Big Lap of Australia on Tuesday. We're now at Port Macquarie in the pouring rain. How would such a journey across the planet even be contemplated? The logistics of it just baffle me. I can't deny the idea of such a journey isn't exciting. Maybe. The old saying, "Pack half as much luggage and twice as much money" comes to mind. Speaking weights!

We just ran the Grenadier and Conqueror UEV-14 over the scales today. Holy crap was that an eye opener. Our Grenadier has the winch, a roof rack and an awning. It's also got the Brown and Davis 68 litre fuel tank fitted. With nothing in the Grenadier except me , half full on both tanks of fuel, and my 5kg Pomeranian, we leveled out at 3220kg. The husband weighs in at 70kg (currently under discussion) so that put us 3295kg. Adding the UEV-14 tow bar weight added 320kg. Now we're at 3615kg, which is 115kg over the max for the Grenadier. OK, it handled it no problem. Tire temps and pressures were normal. It handled like a dream at 100kph. Still, I'd have to chuck the husband and the dawg out to bring down the weights. The air bag suspension just levels everything out so I don't feel like the Grenadier is dragging its ass like a dawg trying to dislodge a tapeworm. Should I be concerned?

 

[globalgregors]

That comment has raised a lot of very interesting conversations. My partner and I just kicked off The Big Lap of Australia on Tuesday. We're now at Port Macquarie in the pouring rain. How would such a journey across the planet even be contemplated? The logistics of it just baffle me. I can't deny the idea of such a journey isn't exciting. Maybe. The old saying, "Pack half as much luggage and twice as much money" comes to mind. Speaking weights!

We just ran the Grenadier and Conqueror UEV-14 over the scales today. Holy crap was that an eye opener. Our Grenadier has the winch, a roof rack and an awning. It's also got the Brown and Davis 68 litre fuel tank fitted. With nothing in the Grenadier except me , half full on both tanks of fuel, and my 5kg Pomeranian, we leveled out at 3220kg. The husband weighs in at 70kg (currently under discussion) so that put us 3295kg. Adding the UEV-14 tow bar weight added 320kg. Now we're at 3615kg, which is 115kg over the max for the Grenadier. OK, it handled it no problem. Tire temps and pressures were normal. It handled like a dream at 100kph. Still, I'd have to chuck the husband and the dawg out to bring down the weights. The air bag suspension just levels everything out so I don't feel like the Grenadier is dragging its ass like a dawg trying to dislodge a tapeworm. Should I be concerned?

I understand an owner has already driven a Grenadier UK to Australia. You have a great vehicle for such a trip. The FAQ on our website might answer a few basic questions and while that itinerary is not one we’ve attempted, there should be enough there to give you a sense of whether that sort of thing is for you.