Importing from the UK - definitive guide (Q and A)

bennyx_o · 31-05-2023 2:26pm

I just assumed if it's not registered within the 30 days you're fined, but I couldn't find much information on the Revenue website about what happens if the wait for their VRT figure takes you past the 30 days

Gerry T · 31-05-2023 3:06pm

I'd just keep a copy in the car while driving incase you're stopped. And make sure your insurance covers you. Otherwise I'd say you'll be grand

User1998 · 31-05-2023 4:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120662493#Comment_120662493

By default you still have to pay the late VRT penalty even if its not your fault the registration took more than 30 days, but the VRT staff can manually remove it. Anyway its only 0.01% per day.

hazchem · 07-06-2023 10:24am

Just bought a 171 Petrol 996cc Automatic Toyota Vitz a Japanese import when taxing online was coming up as €270 thought it should be €200, just queried with Revenue and now it has been changed to €400 does anyone know if this is correct. Looks like should not have queried it.

User1998 · 07-06-2023 10:28am

The tax rate depends on the Co2 document you submitted for VRT

Lower Co2 = lower tax

hazchem · 07-06-2023 11:26am

Car sales did VRT clearence with a Co2 of 141

User1998 · 07-06-2023 12:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120685868#Comment_120685868

141 grams is €390, 140 grams would have been €280

hazchem · 07-06-2023 3:49pm

All resolved now,contacted Revenue again a very helpfull girl got it corrected and now down to €200

bennyx_o · 07-06-2023 6:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120662555#Comment_120662555

Just for anyone else in the future. Got the text yesterday & paid last night No mention at all of a fine thankfully

mickdw · 07-06-2023 9:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120687515#Comment_120687515

Proper order too seeing as it was their delay.

sligopaul · 13-06-2023 8:25am

Folks

Looking at an NI car and it has always been an NI car, the family moved the ownership to a parent when the child emigrated so V5 shows change of ownership as last Nov, and they are now selling, it has been serviced by a family member so no receipts and they only have the last physical mot from Nov last year, looking at the MOT history I can see going back to 2018 MOTs were carried out in NI, has anyone contacted the vehicles agency in the north to obtain back copies , has anyone managed to used these as proof of vehicle domicile for VRT or can we contact DVLA re ownership

Anyone been here before and what have you done

Thanks in advance

@rowanh

How did you get on

DollarBill0000 · 15-06-2023 7:00am

Hi,

Has anyone seen confirmation on the changes to VAT by the UK from July due to the NI protocol. This will allow for a reclaim of the VAT paid when importing a car.

VRT and customs duties will remain but VAT at 23% appears to be the main barrier from importing at the moment.

Thanks

User1998 · 15-06-2023 9:37am

Only applies to VAT registered traders, and doesn’t come into effect until September for EU members

Corradobri · 17-06-2023 8:48pm

Hi,

Looking for some advice re Vrt for this scenario.

In may 2020 i bought a shell of a 1992 car in uk initially to use as a parts doner for another irish car i had started to restore .

This shell had no engine and gearbox, running gear and most of the interior was missing also!

For various reasons the resto was put on hold until this year and it turned out it made much more sense to restore the uk car as it was a great rust free shell compared to what i had .

The car is now in a drivable state and i want to vrt it . how do i stand regarding penalties etc when i make the application ?

I have a letter of sale from the private uk owner dated 2020 outlining the state of the car at time of sale and an invoice from the transport company who shipped it over to me at this time also . i also have a paypal transfer to the previous owner along with numerous photo,s from the date of delivery.

Im thinking all this should prove the car was in ireland before 2021? Also the car was not in a drivable state until a few weeks ago when i fitted a new engine and interior ,wheels etc so i could not have presented it for vrt previously .

Obviously as the car is over 30 years old now i would like to be presented with the applicable fee but how do you think revenue will view this situation and what is the best course of action to come out with the best possible outcome for me ? Thanks in Advance ..

User1998 · 17-06-2023 9:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120728303#Comment_120728303

Sounds like €200 VRT and no VAT or customs duty. No late penalty for vintage cars afaik.

skinny90 · 19-06-2023 12:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120717222#Comment_120717222

is there a particular date in September for this?

Corradobri · 19-06-2023 8:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120728489#Comment_120728489

Thats great if that's the case , I thought they might load penalties on me from the time of import in may 2020 until it turned 30 years in april 2022?

My arguement is that it was never in a fit state to present for Vrt inspection until now ?

I'm going into the vrt office this week to see what the story is anyway. Ill update on progress.

User1998 · 19-06-2023 8:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120736814#Comment_120736814

To be honest that argument wouldn’t wash with them, but as long as its vintage I believe the maximum penalty they can apply is €200, as well as the €200 vintage VRT.

Marcusm · 19-06-2023 8:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120736814#Comment_120736814

If it was incapable of running (and not just because you removed the battery or something similarly minor) then it will not have constituted a mechanically propelled vehicle at the point of importation and thus no VRT was then due.

User1998 · 19-06-2023 9:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120737034#Comment_120737034

Source? Genuinely curious

Matqo · 20-06-2023 5:20pm

Hi folks,

I'm considering buying an used car from Audi Belfast, gave them a ring regarding one car which was in stock and they said they wouldn't be able to sell it to a resident of the republic due to "warranty issues".. Any reason why this would be true or whether I'd have any trouble registering the vehicle if I didn't mention this to dealer in the first place? I vaguely remember seeing something about Audi in particular somewhere on boards a while back but can't find the specific post anymore. TIA

bazz26 · 20-06-2023 5:52pm

See here:

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058296077/audi-northern-ireland-wont-allow-me-to-purchase-car-for-export-to-ireland#latest

Corradobri · 20-06-2023 7:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120736914#Comment_120736914

So potentially 400e max? I could live with that...

Marcusm · 20-06-2023 7:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120737214#Comment_120737214

The definition of “mechanically propelled vehicle” in section 130 Finance Act 1992 and in particular limb (d) of the definition which requires that it is capable of achieving propulsion at the time of registration.

skinny90 · 22-06-2023 8:41pm

Hi all

I’ve found a car that tickets all the boxes

after converting to euro it works out at 20k

vrt is 7,200

i see that there was 2 owners, will that affect the quoted vrt rate ?

is there anything I need to check in terms of docs ?

lastly with changes to VRT coming into affect will I save much more? Would it the 7,200 minus 25%

just trying to weigh up options

same car in ROI with 30+40k more kilometers is €25k and anything around the same is €30k

User1998 · 22-06-2023 10:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120751449#Comment_120751449

I think you need to do a bit more research first.

Has the car been registered in NI since before Brexit? If not then add 33.3% import duties.

The amount of owners on a car doesn’t effect VRT

VRT isn’t changing. UK export procedure is changing, and only applies to VAT registered traders, and is 20% not 25%

skinny90 · 22-06-2023 11:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120752041#Comment_120752041

Thanks appreciate the response

It’s a 2019 so il check if it was registered in NI, but on that basis once I verify that, I should be good?

Is there documentation I need to ensure I get off the dealer to prove this?

is there anything else I need to research ?

Just to 1000% clear these changes in September won’t benefit me buying a car off a NI dealer no?

The reason why I asked is when I check revenue for costs I do see a VAT calculation which is why I had asked

skinny90 · 27-06-2023 1:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120752086#Comment_120752086

Anyone? 😊

BorneTobyWilde · 04-07-2023 1:22pm

If a artic truck and trailer is empty, but spare wheels are on trailer, are they considered goods. They are spare wheels , personal possessions, not goods.

hoodie6029 · 04-07-2023 3:21pm

Has anyone written a definitive post on importing since Brexit? How VAT applies on modern cars v vintage cars? Do you need an agent to do customs docs?

j0ey2069 · 09-07-2023 10:59am

I'm looking at importing a commercial van from NI at the moment. It's a 2019 and it's being sold by a dealer. Everything I've read say that the only charge I'd have to pay on import to the Republic is VRT (€200 being its a commercial van), but if it's being sold by a dealer are they going to include the UK VAT (20%) on it anyway even though its being exported?

Everything I've read further back in this thread says Irish VAT shouldn't apply if it's an NI vehicle before the 2021 changes. I've done lots of research, but I'm just not 100% how/if the fact its a dealer selling it if it makes a difference and also do they apply the 20% UK VAT too when selling.

I've pinged the dealer and I'm sure they know more given they're in Newry, but I just thought I'd ask here to see what people know.

I know I've gotten goods I've bought from the UK zero rated before as long as they're exported within the time period and there's evidence for the export. See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-on-goods-exported-from-the-uk-notice-703#sect3

I k ow this thread has the personal export scheme mentioned previously, but reading up on that on the UK Revenue website links to the above VAT Notice 703 (if goods are being directly exported).

Just so it's clear, let's say the van is £10k, but UK VAT is £2k would I need to pay the full £12k for this to the dealer or just the £10k?

Thanks 👍

BorneTobyWilde · 12-07-2023 12:29pm

How does one sort a vehicle that was on an UK plate, years ago, was imported from UK, paid VRT, then put on Irish plate, went to UK again, and was put on UK plates, but now is back in Ireland, and needs to be on an Irish plate again.

It was also always my vehicle,except for the first time it was imported long before Brexit, so no money involved when I brought it to Uk, and now bringing it back, so sale took place.

daithi7 · 13-07-2023 11:54am

Hi there,

I've a classic car that I imported from the UK in Jan22.

I paid the vat etc on entry (through the transport company) but I've yet to register & nct it here mostly cos it was off the road for a while.

Is there any time limit on when I need to register it?

And assuming I've gone over that, are there any penalties for not registering it sooner??

And lastly, are there any extenuating circumstances? ( e.g. being off the road, & hence couldn't do an nct, cos of lack of part we couldn't source)

Thanks for any pointers

User1998 · 13-07-2023 12:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120845804#Comment_120845804

Theres no leeway. The fine is VRT x 0.01% per day after 30 days

User1998 · 13-07-2023 12:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120841391#Comment_120841391

I’d talk to a customs broker about customs side of things, but apart from that I’d imagine you just VRT it as normal. If you didn’t reclaim the VRT when you exported it the VRT will be free tho.

newmember2 · 13-07-2023 12:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120737034#Comment_120737034

So if I remove a wheel or two then I'm sorted yes?

BorneTobyWilde · 13-07-2023 12:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120845893#Comment_120845893

That's the thing 23% of 0 is 0 . I'd hate to be paying vat on a transaction that doesn't exist, surely in law that makes no sense from an accounting point of view.

RootX · 15-07-2023 9:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120522043#Comment_120522043

Hi everyone, just looking at getting some clarity on the practicalities of buying a UK car and driving it home myself. So if customs clearance is not required prior to driving it back, I could kick off the process with a custom's agent as soon as I'm back I suppose but what happens next?

The custom's agent will calculate the duty and VAT based on the purchase price and ferry ticket and will provide a lodgment account to transfer the monies. Who will I hear from next? will it be Revenue, with the required documentation to proceed and have the car VRT'd or will it be the custom's agent and I'll have to get to Revenue myself? How long does this process take on average?

Is it a good idea to book VRT as soon as the car is in the state, while waiting for the Revenue documentation to arrive?

Many thanks in advance.

User1998 · 15-07-2023 10:00am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120853896#Comment_120853896

Not being smart, but why are you considering buying from the UK? Theres no value to be had for 99% of cars.

Your supposed to get the car cleared before entering Ireland, but most likely you’ll slip through the cracks on a passenger ferry.

You won’t hear from Revenue, the customs broker deals with Revenue and gives you the SAD document once the car is cleared. It literally takes 10 minutes or so, just depends on how busy the agent is.

VRT appointment needs to be within 30 days.

RootX · 15-07-2023 10:11am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120853935#Comment_120853935

Cheers, I'll get in touch with a custom's agent to understand the process better cause if the car needs to be cleared beforehand, it'll makes things awkward; my understanding is it takes a few days for the documentation etc. and don't fancy spending more than a day or two in UK.

I agree with you but in my case it's not about value but more about choice and spec. It's a relatively cheap car, facelifted mini cooper s r53/jcw and not much(if any) for sale here or N.I. I'm fully aware it'll cost me more :)

User1998 · 15-07-2023 10:17am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120853973#Comment_120853973

Nope, UK cars literally take 5/10 minutes to clear. The documents don’t get verified or anything. Japanese cars take a few days tho as the documents have to be manually verified

skinny90 · 15-07-2023 6:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120752041#Comment_120752041

Would the same apply if I import a car from the UK that was registered before brexit ? Or does it only apply to NI registered cars

Marcusm · 16-07-2023 9:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120845989#Comment_120845989

A car without wheels is still capable of achieving propulsion, would just be running on the hubs. Likewise, removing the battery or a single part does not count.

kdevitt · 17-07-2023 8:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120860691#Comment_120860691

A non runner is not a mechanically propelled vehicle. If you trailer it out, they generally want the car started up before they'll clear it. If you've driven it there its quite obviously a runner. So while removing a wheel to try and game the system isn't probably isn't recommended, a car that geneuinly isn't running is not eligible for VRT.

I've discussed it at length with the people in revenue, and at the VRT centre, and have been through it - I had a car here in a bodyshop for 3 years before I even got to the non running issues (which ended up required a full new fuel system). VAT and Duty is required at date of entry - so thats not something you can put off.

kdevitt · 17-07-2023 8:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120853973#Comment_120853973

Car does not need to be cleared beforehand if you're driving it over. If its being transported in for you, then it does.

thebigmc · 24-07-2023 11:45pm

Hello, question on my first time importing from NI:

Seller has posted me a unfilled previous owner's v5c, which I presume seller got when he purchased, and he kept it when he did an online transfer into his name.

He posted his entire v5c for permanent export, to Swansea, im told, even though i asked to send that to me. Car marked SORN but not export yet on dva website.

When I go to register in ROI, will the old v5c work? On the old v5c which i have, the registered keeper name is different to the receipt of purchase sellers name.

so, seems quite the mess, it's an older rare 4x4 that was not expensive. Hoping to get proof of pre brexit mot from DVA.

thanks!