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

Hi, I'm looking for advice about a VRT exemption for a transfer of residence from U.K (midlands) to Ireland.

Here is my situation:

• I'm living and a home owner in the UK for 4 years.
• I'm looking to move back home in the next 6 months to either rent or buy a new house. My UK house will be going up for sale in the next couple of months and we will either rent or buy in Ireland at some future date. Dates are not set in stone as there are many what ifs.
• I have owned my UK registered car for 2 years, fulfilling the VRT exemption requirements.
• However, I want to take back the car now as I will be travelling back and over to sort out the new house, etc. Having a car in Ireland would save me money and headaches massively on the car rental costs during the setting up back home period. I won't need it too much in the U.K.
• I will still be employed in the U.K. even after I move back as I will be working remotely mainly from Ireland.

I am trying to consider my options but am worried about getting caught with a big VRT bill. So, how will each of these scenarios play out?

1. Bring the back car now, via Dublin and declare it and try and clear the VRT on it now with the exemption, using my parent's house as my new address. No other proof of moving as job/house still in the U.K.
2. Bring back the car and just use it for 6 months then drive it over and back with the ferry passage back to present the evidence of a ferry to customs. But, would they know it was already there for 6 months approx already? Would it be very risky?
3. Bring back the car via Northern Ireland, use it as I need then drive it back to UK via NI and over to Ireland via Dublin and then claim it at customs and start VRT exemption when we are officially back.

Either way I want to benefit from the tax relief. But not sure how best to proceed. I do need a car in Ireland for the next few months, from time to time and would like my one to be there.

Or any other ideas of achieving the same outcome are welcome. It's turning into a total headache.

Hi @mickdw thanks for your response.

So basically, we can bring the car in to Ireland now, use it for a few months (UK insurance and tax terms apply), then when the time comes to bring it back in when we actually move, we would declare it to customs first as you have recommended.

Then In terms of evidence paperwork, we can provide possible proof of sale, childcare costs to the point of our move, bank statements etc to show we actively lived in the UK. Hopefully, we will be able to show a new purchase in Ireland or a rental agreement, a childcare place to prove we've arrived.

Would revenue see that the car had been over in Ireland through any customs systems before or just see what is in front of them on file as a ferry passage that we submit?

My main concern was about having the car in Ireland before we officially brought it over, and them knowing that we had. I don't want anything to jeopardise our VRT redemption case. One of the questions on the form was when the car was. in the state, which made me nervous.

I did the transfer of residence back in 2020 back to ireland , the guy at the tax office was very helpful and can run through any questions you have now for what you will need when you do decide to start the process , the whole process is not some interview where they try to catch you out , its a person who asks you for a list of documents by email so they can tick their boxes and send you the exemption. and if you dont have a certain document they do accept alternatives.

just for reference when they asked me proof of where i was moving to ireland , i just told them back to my parents house and that was good enough for them. ( i didn't have any utility bills or anything like that)

I disagree with @user1998 , as i was in ireland for a month before i brought my car back, (with also more travel inbetween the 2 countries over a longer period ) the only reason they want bank statements so you can show you were living and working in the UK for atleast 6 months.

What does one need to do to import a JCB forklift from uk. Does it matter that it's already owned, and is returning to ireland from uk, it's in uk for 7 years

Well I was importing a used car engine from a private seller in UK.

I failed to figure out how to actually bring it in legally. I contacted customs. Got advice but no carrier would or could carry it without a commercial invoice from the seller - not possible from private seller.

Was willing to pay all charges but couldn't be done it seems.

Drive it in through the north it seems is the solution.... I wouldn't do such a thing though.

Thanks but I don't need it anymore.

Wondering can anyone advise what the situation is on a gift/inheritance of a car from the uk from a parent? Is there any exemptions? Can provide death cert etc

So according to this, if for example I want to buy this car https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-tt-2012/30916522 and since as per the ad the Country of Registration is Northern Ireland I am not subject to customs duty and VAT.

Am I right?

Hi folks,

Looking for some advice on importing a car from NI/UK - I've done it previously in 2019 and the savings were great but I'm wondering if, post-Brexit is it still worth doing?

Ideally looking to get a mid-sized SUV with a budget of approx. €25k and ideally hybrid.

Any help appreciated!

Hi , What documents do you need to bring to the VRT office these days ? The last car I VRT'd was a week before brexit , its a NI car all its life .

Thanks