Clearing a car through Belgium

mustang68

There is a company who advertise clearing a car from the US through Belgium so you pay 6% vat and not the Irish 23%, however I'm finding them hard to communicate with, maybe things will turn around tomorrow but it seems like they are not interested.

Has anyone done this before and who did you use?

thanks

Calahonda52

https://www.globalvatcompliance.com/vat-rates-in-belgium/#:~:text=In%20Belgium%2C%20the%20standard%20VAT,rate%20applies%20to%20the%20necessities.

Vehicles designed specifically for the use of individuals with disabilities

I suspect they are falsifying the paperwork when describing the car if it fails to meet the above

mustang68

They have an "old-timer" rate as mentioned here:

https://www.marlog-car-handling.com/vat-change/

and here:

https://www.freighthammer.com/import/what-we-ship/classic-cars

Calahonda52

So they have "bonded warehouses" so in theory the car never landed in Belgium?

mustang68

No, they have to clear it, car gets inspected by customs and registered in Belgium... but inguess this is why I'm asking if anyone has done it here

kdevitt

I haven’t done it, but there’s a dealer here who clears all his JDM stuff through Belgium to avail of the lower rate, so it’s possible.

mustang68

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121795063#Comment_121795063

You wouldn't be able to PM me his details if you have them? While it all looks simple enough to do (get an agent to register the car in Belgium and pay the vat there), a misstep could be costly... having someone who does it would be handy to check in with.

mustang68

So just to tie a bow on this for future people who find this, the car has to be running and roadworthy to register it in Belgium (now that I think about it, no different from here), however the my car will be neither.

The process would be, land it in Belgium, clear it and pay the tax, then to register it it needs an inspection. With both the vat and the car registered in Belgium then you're free to import it to Ireland. You need an agent to do all of this for you.

So for me that's the end of this avenue of exploration.

turbocab

this would definitely be worth it with high value classic cars.As usual Ireland the rip off with the 23 per centVAt on classic cars.

kdevitt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121798052#Comment_121798052

Sorry, just seeing this. Don't have the name - it was a while back. Spoke to a lad who bought his E30 from them, and the process was explained to him. More or less matches what you put in your last post. Potentially considering it myself next year on an NSX.

w124man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121848032#Comment_121848032

Have you checked the VAT rates in other EU countries? At 23% we are doing okay!

turbocab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121850524#Comment_121850524

Yes the vat rate for importing classic cars to Belgium is 6%. So how do you think 23% is okay

w124man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121856367#Comment_121856367

Croatia 25%

Denmark 25%

France 24%

Greece 24%

Hungary 27%

Sweden 25%

Iceland 24%

Norway 25%

mustang68

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121856367#Comment_121856367

Reading deeper into that 6%, as well as it needing to be running/roadworthy, there was a heavy implication that the car needed to be rare and only for display, more museum piece. Also talking to a few importers they said that getting the 6% wasn't a slam-dunk.

We have the 13% vat here that you can use for classic I believe, but not if you want to drive the car :(

turbocab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121862571#Comment_121862571

compare with the worst .how about the netherlands and germany both less than 9%.

kdevitt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121864855#Comment_121864855

Thats based on the initial EU ruling that cleared vintage cars from having to incur duty / lower rate of VAT. Car can't be in production anymore, and needs to be in original condition. Its the same ruling that applies for cars here when they're cleared - which is at 23% and no duty. Some car clearance companies here seem to think that the rules only apply to museum pieces and clear vintage stuff at 10% duty and 23% VAT. Great if you want to pay extra, but having eventually spoken to revenue on it, they confirmed that the no duty rule is applicable on 30 year old stuff once the cars aren't heavily modified.

hi5

It's 5.5% in France.

Import a classic car to France from outside the UE (UK, US, etc.)?

If your classic car comes from a country not belonging to the European union, you’ll need a 846A certificate from the French customs. That means that you will have to pay VAT and duties. There is however good news: instead of paying 30%, you’ll pay 5,5% on the value of the vintage car. Moreover, if you import a classic car in France in the process of moving in to take permanent residency in the country, those will be completely waived. You must get this 846A certificate in the days following the arrival of the classic car in France.

Importing a classic car to France: customs and registration (eplaque.fr)

w124man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121865699#Comment_121865699

Try importing a car into France, come back and tell us how easy it is! My cousin bought an Alfa Giulia in Italy and drove it home to his place in Chinon and spent the next 18 month busting his balls with the French authorities trying to get it registered.