USA car import

Calif

Been looking at importing a vintage car from the US. Had hoped it was just €200 vrt payable however I’m told by a freight forwarder today it is 8% vat and 23% custom duty which is not great news.

Surely if a pal in the Uk bought it and I bought it from him later this year He would pay less fees and I could buy it from him and it would work out cheaper no? I don’t think the Uk charge the same fees.

I have also read that if the car was originally made in Europe there may be reduced duties but need to find confirmation

Dr Turk Turkelton

Afaik if a vintage car is imported into England from the USA then there is no vat so your plan seems perfect.
All you need to do is "buy" it from your friend and import it here and pay the 200 vrt.
Best of luck.

homingbird

Its only a paper trail the nct need so the car can come into ireland & sit somewhere until you sort out paperwork.

macplaxton

Calif wrote: »

it is 8% vat and 23% custom duty

That's back-to-front. It would have been 8% duty and 23% VAT (21% VAT applies 1 September 2020 to 28 February 2021)

Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: »

Afaik if a vintage car is imported into England from the USA then there is no vat

That's not the case. If the vehicle falls under 9705 collector/works of art TARIC code, the duty is zero, but the VAT 5% (if it doesn't then it's 10% duty, 20% VAT)

Be sure you could do that in all inside 4 months mind - That route could be more expensive come January, nobody knows for sure after December what the rules of the game will be.

hi5

Pickup trucks and vans over 2.5 litre are 22% duty.
In order to avail of the UK 5% VAT, the vehicle must be original and not modified in any way.

galwaytt

Calif wrote: »

Been looking at importing a vintage car from the US. Had hoped it was just €200 vrt payable however I’m told by a freight forwarder today it is 8% vat and 23% custom duty which is not great news.

Surely if a pal in the Uk bought it and I bought it from him later this year He would pay less fees and I could buy it from him and it would work out cheaper no? I don’t think the Uk charge the same fees.

I have also read that if the car was originally made in Europe there may be reduced duties but need to find confirmation

Anything from outside the EU attracts Customs & VAT. And come 31st December that could mean the UK too.