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

agnena · 01-03-2017 12:03pm

We are importing a car from UK hopefully today. Buying from a private person. What part of V5 is required to bring with us? If the current owner fills up the V5 in relation to change of car ownership, will that be sufficient in order to register it in Ireland? Do we have to notify the British authorities that the vehicle is being exported?
I have sorted the insurance and even booked VRT examination.

bazz26 · 01-03-2017 1:06pm

This question is asked and answered on nearly every page of this thread.

You get the full V5C document from the seller. You do not fill out the change of ownership section because you are not a UK resident. Do not let them send the change of ownership or notification of permanent export section to the DVLA in Swansea as you won't get a new V5 document from them. You will not be able to re-register the car without the car's V5C document. Point them to the DVLA website if they don't believe you.

agnena · 01-03-2017 1:20pm

So it's ok if the old owners details are on the V5? The previous owner does not have to keep any of the pages and doesn't not have to post anything anywhere, is that right?

aujopimur · 01-03-2017 2:34pm

agnena wrote: »

So it's ok if the old owners details are on the V5? The previous owner does not have to keep any of the pages and doesn't not have to post anything anywhere, is that right?

You take the complete V5 as is, the seller can notify DVLA by letter, make this clear to the seller.

bazz26 · 01-03-2017 3:32pm

agnena wrote: »

So it's ok if the old owners details are on the V5? The previous owner does not have to keep any of the pages and doesn't not have to post anything anywhere, is that right?

The name on the V5C document makes no difference to the VRT office here. They are only interested in the car's details on the V5C, not who it was registered to in the UK. When you present the car and full V5C document they will keep the V5C and then issue the new Irish owner a new Irish vehicle registration cert (logbook). It is imperative however that you get the full V5C from the UK seller in order to register the car in Ireland. If the UK seller sends it off to the DVLA then you will have a lot of hassle and time getting the DVLA to issue a certificate of permanent export to you in order for you to register the car here.

grebtol2 · 01-03-2017 6:29pm

Cargiant is now much more difficult to go to for Irish buyers. They require you to go over and view the car before making any arrangements, they will not take a deposit over the phone. So unless you can get over at very short notice on the cheap (rail and sail maybe) the car you want will very likely be gone before you can make it over. They also want passport, EU driver's licence and 2 forms of proof of address before they'll sell to you. I don't know why places like this work so very hard at putting barriers in the way.

They will reserve it for you for a maximum of 24 hours. Disappointing. I literally had my bank card in my hand asking them to take a deposit and they refused. "It's praceeeedjha".

Isambard · 02-03-2017 1:53pm

if the owner wants to fill put the export bit and post it off, let them it makes no difference so long as you get the main part of the V5C. The old owner should write to the DVLA , but that's up to them....just get the main part of the V5C in your hand..

iminapickle · 02-03-2017 6:00pm

This may seem retorical...But having lived in the North for 3.5 years am I allowed to bring a car south without VRT? apologies in advance......maybe its an old mans tale....
thanks in advance for any replies.

Seanosullivan2 · 02-03-2017 6:15pm

Isn't it 6 months?

bazz26 · 02-03-2017 6:31pm

iminapickle wrote: »

This may seem retorical...But having lived in the North for 3.5 years am I allowed to bring a car south without VRT? apologies in advance......maybe its an old mans tale....
thanks in advance for any replies.

There is information here around VRT exemption and transfer of residency:

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/tax-relief-transfer-residence.html

Random Bloke · 02-03-2017 8:39pm

Looking for help...

Bought a car in UK but changed mind and tried to sell it. So I didn't pay the VRT. The car did not sell, and now I have changed mind again, and want to VRT it and start using it.

But the 30 days have lapsed, so I may be hit with a fine (?) even though the car has been parked up and not used on roads since it came into the country.

I think I can get the invoice re-dated by the UK garage. Will that be sufficient to avoid the fine? Or will I also need to have shipping confirmation within last 30 days?

How much is the fine anyway?

bazz26 · 02-03-2017 8:48pm

As the car wasn't used just draw up a receipt/invoice with a recent date yourself.

aujopimur · 02-03-2017 9:13pm

bazz26 wrote: »

As the car wasn't used just draw up a `
receipt/invoice with a recent date yourself.[/QU

And a ferry ticket.

bazz26 · 02-03-2017 9:17pm

aujopimur wrote: »

bazz26 wrote: »

As the car wasn't used just draw up a `
receipt/invoice with a recent date yourself.[/QU

And a ferry ticket.

Not needed if the receipt says it was bought in the North.

Random Bloke · 02-03-2017 9:17pm

Any ferry ticket or does it have to have the reg?

Random Bloke · 02-03-2017 9:35pm

So, hypothetically, if I buy a car up north from a private individual, and get a receipt from them, and present this when paying VRT, will it be sufficient?

Would the V5 have to reflect the seller as the last registered owner?

bazz26 · 02-03-2017 9:53pm

Yes, they are not going to contact the seller of the car.

And they are not interested in who's name is on the V5C form, all they want off that document is the car's details such as VIN, co2 figures, engine/chassis number etc. The car could have been bought by you from a guy living in the North who imported it from the UK or bought it off someone else in the UK.

joujoujou · 03-03-2017 2:14pm

Lads, a question - saw an ad on donedeal, with imported car on UK plates. Dealer (no main dealer though) claims that car already has VRT paid and NCT done (car's 12 y.o.). Also states that car will have buyer's county number plates.

I always thought NCT can be done after Irish plates, not before. How's that possible?

rabbitinlights · 03-03-2017 2:44pm

Random Bloke wrote: »

Looking for help...

Bought a car in UK but changed mind and tried to sell it. So I didn't pay the VRT. The car did not sell, and now I have changed mind again, and want to VRT it and start using it.

But the 30 days have lapsed, so I may be hit with a fine (?) even though the car has been parked up and not used on roads since it came into the country.

I think I can get the invoice re-dated by the UK garage. Will that be sufficient to avoid the fine? Or will I also need to have shipping confirmation within last 30 days?

How much is the fine anyway?

If you came in via Dublin port, the UK reg is recorded. The revenue questioned my date as my form and ticket said 13th Jan, but their records showed it arrived on the 14th as the last ferry was delayed. Wasn't an issue but they had the time and date it arrived.

bazz26 · 03-03-2017 2:53pm

rabbitinlights wrote: »

If you came in via Dublin port, the UK reg is recorded. The revenue questioned my date as my form and ticket said 13th Jan, but their records showed it arrived on the 14th as the last ferry was delayed. Wasn't an issue but they had the time and date it arrived.

But what's to stop the OP telling them that he bought it off a third party on donedeal who probably brought it in from the UK through Dublin Port? Fellas selling UK reg cars on donedeal all the time that have been in the country well over the 30 day rule.

rabbitinlights · 03-03-2017 3:15pm

bazz26 wrote: »

But what's to stop the OP telling them that he bought it off a third party on donedeal who probably brought it in from the UK through Dublin Port? Fellas selling UK reg cars on donedeal all the time that have been in the country well over the 30 day rule.

The person presenting the car is liable for any fines if the vehicle has been in the state for more than 30 days. It's not from date of purchase, it's 30 days from "Arriving in the state"

Now, I'm not saying this doesn't happen, but has anyone here presented a UK reg car bought on DD to them? - You're going to have to say that you or someone took the car in on a certain date within 30 days.

bazz26 · 03-03-2017 3:41pm

Reality is though that people buy UK registered cars from donedeal wheeler dealer types all the time and don't get stung for penalties because the car may have arrived in the country over 30 days ago. It would be interesting to see how many of them got stung for late penalty fines.

NCTS have also been known to provide the pen and paper to people in order to scribble up a receipt/invoice if they don't have one already. The late penalties are really only enforced when someone is taking the piss by driving around on foreign plats for ages avoiding to pay VRT and put it on Irish plates.

aujopimur · 03-03-2017 4:55pm

bazz26 wrote: »

But what's to stop the OP telling them that he bought it off a third party on donedeal who probably brought it in from the UK through Dublin Port? Fellas selling UK reg cars on donedeal all the time that have been in the country well over the 30 day rule.

If you are registering a car and are not the importer, you must fill in a declaration giving the sellers details, this is then passed to Revenue who may or may not persue the seller for any outstanding monies due.

bazz26 · 03-03-2017 8:51pm

This is Ireland, reality is that they are not going to chase anyone. They neither have the resources or the will to do it otherwise all they would have to do is go chase half of the Irish residents selling foreign registered cars on donedeal which is illegal too.

All in all · 03-03-2017 10:31pm

Hi, I have just bought a car in Manchester and have done all the necessary checks. I had planned on getting the car home by a transporter, but the garage had offered to deliver the car to Holyhead or Liverpool and said it can be arranged to be put on ferry and collected at the port. Does anyone have experience of doing this and the logistics of it?

Silpac · 04-03-2017 2:00am

Balls --ðŸ˜Ÿ I only got the v5c/2 form - new keeper piece, it's all the co2 details and model on it ? Will that do the Nct/ vrt guys. I've seen some posts saying I should've kept the lot ?

Pete123456 · 04-03-2017 2:21am

There really needs to be a sticky with all the FAQs because the same stuff gets asked over and over

mad m · 04-03-2017 2:49pm

Silpac wrote: »

Balls --ðŸ˜Ÿ I only got the v5c/2 form - new keeper piece, it's all the co2 details and model on it ? Will that do the Nct/ vrt guys. I've seen some posts saying I should've kept the lot ?

If you have the main/original V5 form with cars details on it you will have no problem. You don't have to write on this form, just hand it in with the completed V5 form you get from Revenue.

I VRT mine this morning, took all of 10mins. Its mad though if car I got up north was first registered after June when it was purchased 2 years ago I'd of saved 150 euro on VRT ...:rolleyes:

CalamariFritti · 04-03-2017 10:05pm

Silpac wrote: »

Balls --ðŸ˜Ÿ I only got the v5c/2 form - new keeper piece, it's all the co2 details and model on it ? Will that do the Nct/ vrt guys. I've seen some posts saying I should've kept the lot ?

Yes you should have. Happens to the best.

You have exactly what I got, the little V5C/2 slip, and I was refused at the NCTS centre the other day with that.

And there is no way you can get a V5C now as the DVLA will not issue one to you as you're not a British resident.

However, what the DVLA will issue to you is a 'certificate of permanent export' which will be accepted at the NCTS centre.
You have to download a V756 form from the DVLA website which is an application for said certificate and then you send that to Swansea and within a couple of weeks (hopefully) you have your docs in order.

mel123 · 06-03-2017 9:21pm

How much is the fine if your late registering?

bazz26 · 06-03-2017 9:44pm

It's daily percentage of the VRT figure afaik.

superhooper · 06-03-2017 10:45pm

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Yes you should have. Happens to the best. You have exactly what I got, the little V5C/2 slip, and I was refused at the NCTS centre the other day with that.

And there is no way you can get a V5C now as the DVLA will not issue one to you as you're not a British resident.

However, what the DVLA will issue to you is a 'certificate of permanent export' which will be accepted at the NCTS centre.
You have to download a V756 form from the DVLA website which is an application for said certificate and then you send that to Swansea and within a couple of weeks (hopefully) you have your docs in order.

Same thing happened to me.DVLA actually posted the V5C to me saying that they couldnt register me as new owner.:D . This took about 3 weeks from time I bought car.

rob316 · 07-03-2017 5:15pm

grebtol2 wrote: »

Cargiant is now much more difficult to go to for Irish buyers. They require you to go over and view the car before making any arrangements, they will not take a deposit over the phone. So unless you can get over at very short notice on the cheap (rail and sail maybe) the car you want will very likely be gone before you can make it over. They also want passport, EU driver's licence and 2 forms of proof of address before they'll sell to you. I don't know why places like this work so very hard at putting barriers in the way.

They will reserve it for you for a maximum of 24 hours. Disappointing. I literally had my bank card in my hand asking them to take a deposit and they refused. "It's praceeeedjha".

Buddy went over to a place called big motor world in Kent few weeks ago looking at cars. He had planned on buying that day and was happy enough as all the cars came with AA comprehensive reports. He made a deal and was good with the price, salesman asked are you exporting the car he said yes of course. No problem Sir, there is a £500 admin fee for exports just to make you aware. He wouldn't budge and the buddy walked and was left too.

Pure shakedown. He got sorted in a BMW dealer 5 miles away and drove off that day with no admin fee.

AH92 · 07-03-2017 5:41pm

Hey lads,
On the day of the vrt test when you get the fee amount do you have to pay it then?
Have no problem paying it on the day but just curious in case the amount is substantially higher than the website calculation.

bazz26 · 07-03-2017 5:57pm

No you don't have to pay it the day of the inspection but you have to complete the whole registration process within 30 days of the car entering the country. And they will not complete the registration process without payment of VRT first. Also note that they do not accept cash as payment either.

AH92 · 07-03-2017 6:04pm

bazz26 wrote: »

No you don't have to pay it the day of the inspection but you have to complete the whole registration process within 30 days of the car entering the country. And they will not complete the registration process without payment of VRT first. Also note that they do not accept cash as payment either.

Thanks that's reassuring. I'll put it on the credit card and maybe 2 other cards depending on the fee which ideally will be around 4300.
Is it an online system for paying if not done on the day?

CalamariFritti · 07-03-2017 7:59pm

mel123 wrote: »

How much is the fine if your late registering?

Its difficult to get precise information on that. I tried to find out 'cos I might go a few days over myself. Thankfully not more than that. Actually had my export cert in the post today.

Anyway. Not even the lady on the VRT phone in Dublin could tell me. After further googling it seems only revenue would be able to tell you. So I tried the only number I could find for that but it goes to mailbox and the chap never rang back.

I found a PDF after more googling that seems to describe revenue VRT procedures and there it says 0.1% of the VRT figure for each day over. the 30 days. So if your VRT is €3,000 it's €3 for each day over.

But I saw other information where it says once you go over its 0.1% from the day you brought the car into the country. Means on day 1 over the 30 days you start immediately at 31 * €3 = €93.

Then I read that that's just for people taking the piss and a week or two over they typically let slip.

In other words I don't know. But the good news is its not going to be hundreds to be a few days over.

CalamariFritti · 07-03-2017 8:12pm

AH92 wrote: »

Hey lads,
On the day of the vrt test when you get the fee amount do you have to pay it then?
Have no problem paying it on the day but just curious in case the amount is substantially higher than the website calculation.

Your one out in the ncts centre here is just a clerical officer not a car expert. She's not going to spot adaptive headlights or whether there's a sport auto box in there or not. She matches your papers with their vehicle database end off.

So if you were able to locate your precise model, make and trim from the vrt calculator with the correct emissions figure it means they have it on their database and that's what you're going to pay.

And while you're not required to pay there and then I'd say you can.

baz_ctr · 08-03-2017 1:31pm

HI guys
Great thread and info I am looking at getting a Honda Accord Tourer ES GT from the UK but looking at emissions it's 154g/km (car tax €390)on the dvla site for the exact car when I put in the registion but most of the 08/09 Accord tourers here seem to be advertised as 157g/km (car tax €570) which push them in to the next tax bracket.
My question is how do you go about getting the exact emissions cert that the revenue / car tax office will accept for the vehicle you buy from UK to say it is in the bracket of 154g/km not 157g.km.

The_Conductor · 08-03-2017 2:04pm

baz_ctr wrote: »

HI guys
Great thread and info I am looking at getting a Honda Accord Tourer ES GT from the UK but looking at emissions it's 154g/km (car tax €390)on the dvla site for the exact car when I put in the registion but most of the 08/09 Accord tourers here seem to be advertised as 157g/km (car tax €570) which push them in to the next tax bracket.
My question is how do you go about getting the exact emissions cert that the revenue / car tax office will accept for the vehicle you buy from UK to say it is in the bracket of 154g/km not 157g.km.

Get onto Honda with the VID/VIN and they will issue you with 'Certificate of EU Conformity' which lists the factory specs for the vehicle in question, including its emissions.

baz_ctr · 08-03-2017 2:25pm

The_Conductor wrote: »

Get onto Honda with the VID/VIN and they will issue you with 'Certificate of EU Conformity' which lists the factory specs for the vehicle in question, including its emissions.

Cheers thanks for that.

bazz26 · 08-03-2017 2:30pm

Revenue go off the V5C document that comes with the car. The V5C is the official UK registration document which reflects what the car manufacturer supplies to UK Revenue including official Co2 figures.

rabbitinlights · 08-03-2017 6:18pm

Contact potential sellers to send a photo of the V5c, I was in the same position - all the sites said 139g, but the V5c said 142!

baz_ctr · 08-03-2017 7:47pm

rabbitinlights wrote: »

Contact potential sellers to send a photo of the V5c, I was in the same position - all the sites said 139g, but the V5c said 142!

I got the reg and put into the dvla website here and the emissions is on it. i assume this is what the V5c will say

https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/ViewVehicle

Pete123456 · 08-03-2017 7:52pm

Worth mentioning that BOI have scrapped the daily transaction limit on a debit card, as long as you have the funds in your account. I asked would a €20000 transaction go through in the UK, and i was told it might be refused the first time, and the second time it will show a phone number on the terminal that the merchant can call to get the authorisation code. You also get very close to mid market rates from Visa, so its a big saving if it works!

Apologies if this was mentioned already

baz_ctr · 08-03-2017 8:41pm

bazz26 wrote: »

Revenue go off the V5C document that comes with the car. The V5C is the official UK registration document which reflects what the car manufacturer supplies to UK Revenue including official Co2 figures.

cool thanks bazz good to know

Marcusm · 08-03-2017 10:23pm

rob316 wrote: »

Buddy went over to a place called big motor world in Kent few weeks ago looking at cars. He had planned on buying that day and was happy enough as all the cars came with AA comprehensive reports. He made a deal and was good with the price, salesman asked are you exporting the car he said yes of course. No problem Sir, there is a £500 admin fee for exports just to make you aware. He wouldn't budge and the buddy walked and was left too.

Pure shakedown. He got sorted in a BMW dealer 5 miles away and drove off that day with no admin fee.

I have to confirm poor prior experience with Big Motoring World which is a BMW only dealer with huge stock levels but not a main dealer. Ultimately we were happy with the car (3 year old 750Li) but suffice it to say they had sharp elbows.

AH92 · 09-03-2017 5:58pm

Hey guys,
Is there an issue if my invoice for my car states that the vat amount is 0 but on the next line it says total price including vat is 17495.
Going to bring it up next week to get it vrt'd and going to have that invoice along with my their documents.
I paid for the car the amount which was the same price advertised on auto trader.
Thanks.

rob316 · 09-03-2017 6:11pm

AH92 wrote: »

Hey guys,
Is there an issue if my invoice for my car states that the vat amount is 0 but on the next line it says total price including vat is 17495.
Going to bring it up next week to get it vrt'd and going to have that invoice along with my their documents.
I paid for the car the amount which was the same price advertised on auto trader.
Thanks.

Mine was the same wouldn't worry.

Inviere · 09-03-2017 7:24pm

Probably a stupid question folks, but do insurance companies load up on a policy if the car is a UK import? I'm considering importing, but am wondering about the "is the car an import" question that insurance companies always ask...

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

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