Importing a Classic Car from the UK

ApePiaggio

Hi, Can anyone give me advice on importing a classic car from the UK. Its an Italian make and about 40 years old, worth £6,000. I will go to collect it in the uk and bring it back to Ireland. My question is, do i have to pay an import tax when i arrive at the port in Ireland and do i have to pay VAT in Ireland? If so how much? Secondly, what is the registration process (does it need vrt, nct?)?

Thank You

hoodie6029

The VRT will be a flat rate of €200 as it’s over 30 years old. As it’s over 40, it was been NCT exempt.

As for the customs and VAT, I’m not sure since Brexit. There are a few older threads here from the last few months that might be helpful to browse on that.

Best of luck with the new motor!

mustang68

It's the "normal" 23% vat rate, no duty as the car is over 30.

steinbock123

Am considering a classic from the UK, registered new in NI in 1986. Price is twenty grand sterling. The car was in NI for over twenty years, and was then sold to the UK, where it has remained since, although it still retains its original NI registration number, as this was obviously still valid over in England. Will I get hit with the 23% VAT if I buy it and bring it over??

Blues14

when do you pay the vat tho is it the day it arrives in Ireland or when you vrt it just curious because thinking of buying a classic myself?

mustang68

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122106521#Comment_122106521

Have a look at revenue here, it explains it and states what you need, however contact them too to be sure: https://www.revenue.ie/en/vrt/registration-of-imported-used-vehicles/registering-vehicles-from-ni.aspx "A vehicle that has previously been in use in NI can be registered for Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) in the State without liability to additional Customs Duties and import Value-Added Tax (VAT). Proof will be required that the vehicle has been in private ownership for a reasonable period of time."

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122385734#Comment_122385734

You can't VRT it without the vat being paid, VAT needs to be paid on import (unless you're a dealer), this is again from revenue, it's all there on the website: https://www.revenue.ie/en/vrt/registration-of-imported-used-vehicles/vat-implications-importing-vehicles-gb-ni.aspx

MarkN

looking at a car that has been registered to a dealer in NI for two years but was originally bought in England. Does that get me off the VAT and customs hook? It’s a pre Brexit reg.

MarkN

seems to answer my question. It’s essentially in a company name so I assume this won’t cover it!

https://www.askaboutmoney.com/threads/importing-a-car-from-northern-ireland%E2%80%A6-change-of-legislation.236078/?amp=1

draycottgirlz

Does anyone what documentation is needed on arriving at Dublin port having driven a car onto the ferry?

MarkN

A receipt for the car you've bought. Can't imagine there's anymore than that? Give them the usual story, have a VRT appointment booked.

w124man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122584441#Comment_122584441

V5 and a believable receipt

kdevitt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122584441#Comment_122584441

Nothing at all from my experience. Only thing they've asked me about is whether I have cigarettes or drink with me! They asked for nothing in relation to the car itself.

UK side has always been more strict from my experience - V5, proof of purchase and proof of insurance has regularly been requested.

manatoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122609983#Comment_122609983

When you say believable receipt, who are they to question what's on the receipt? Do they have powers of investigation? Serious question

kdevitt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122947977#Comment_122947977

My clearance agent requests proof of funds transfer to cover the purchase.

w124man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122947977#Comment_122947977

'They' are the Revenue commissioners and yes 'they' do have powers of investigation. They can put a value on the car if they think something is fishy and anyway proof of a financial transfer is required. Travelling with large sums of cash has its own set of regulations and getting large sums of Sterling from a bank is not that easy these days as the banks have to ask questions

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122947977#Comment_122947977

The VRT staff generally don’t care whats on the receipt, but if you have to pay Revenue VAT/customs they may look into it more. I always get asked for auction screenshots and proof of payment for Jap cars

Tiger72

There is a guy i know has this 1993 BMW 540i - he took it for VRT but was sent home with the rejections as can be seen below in the attachments , is there any way of going about getting the clearance from the Revenue without going to a Customs clearance agent ?

VRT.jpg

Tiger72

People may not have seen this , so i pasted it in

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123322891#Comment_123322891

Its a UK registered car. VAT is due on import. Get a clearance agent to do the customs clearance for you. You can’t do it yourself.

Tiger72

Is there any phone no that you can ring Customs specific about this ? because he has the car in the country since 2008 and has the ferry information on email at the time when he brought it in

User1998

I’m sure there is. Google is your friend..

Tiger72

Quick question - I assume there is no NOx charges on a Classic Diesel Jeep over 30 years old ?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123449275#Comment_123449275

No

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123330818#Comment_123330818

It wasn’t a classic car when he imported it on that basis. I would hate to think of the VRT and interest he has built up although (with proof) he wouldn’t have a VAT or duty issue.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123488981#Comment_123488981

Once it hits 30 years old it doesn’t matter how long its been in the country for. Vintage VRT of €200 applies with no late penalties

bemak

if a car is purchased from UK and brought into NI - does anyone know what constitutes a "reasonable period of time" in the statement in an earlier post that "proof will be required that the vehicle has been in private ownership (in NI) for a reasonable period of time."

obviously this is to prevent NI from being a stop gap in the process - but is it likely to be 6 months, a year?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123843679#Comment_123843679

3 months

bemak

Thanks!

w124man

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123844809#Comment_123844809

Car has to be registered with an owner up there! Bringing it in and just leaving it there isnt enough

bemak

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123846948#Comment_123846948

of course. i just wondered how long it would have to be up there for under the new NI owner.