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

deezell · 22-01-2020 12:59pm

shirazhyder84 wrote: »

Thanks Isambard and Atlantic Dawn.

The revenue website which was last updated on 1st November 2019 states that I will have to pay VAT and hence my confusion. I have the extract from the website below.

" Used vehicles
A vehicle brought into the State from the UK before 1 February 2020 can be registered as normal up until 1 March 2020. To register, customers must provide documentation to prove that the vehicle was acquired prior to 1 February".

https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/brexit/information-for-businesses/vrt-implications-of-trade-with-the-uk/vrt-implications-of-importing-cars-from-the-uk.aspx

Well that's as clear as mud.
Do I pay VAT?
Do I pay customs duty as well as VRT (non EU car Brand?).
Do I have to leave the car at the port to be inspected, and walk home?
Is it the end of Importing?

The Mulk · 22-01-2020 1:50pm

What proof do i need to prove i buy a car before 1/02/20.
I'm heading over to UK to buy a car privately, flying 30/01/2020, buying the car from a private seller on the 31/01/20 and sailing home on 1/02/20. Just in case.

deezell · 22-01-2020 1:53pm

The Mulk wrote: »

What proof do i need to prove i buy a car before 1/02/20.
I'm heading over to UK to buy a car privately, flying 30/01/2020, buying the car from a private seller on the 31/01/20 and sailing home on 1/02/20. Just in case.

Cash transfer record form your bank/revolut/transfermate? Ferry ticket with the car reg on it also.

User1998 · 22-01-2020 2:35pm

The Mulk wrote: »

What proof do i need to prove i buy a car before 1/02/20.
I'm heading over to UK to buy a car privately, flying 30/01/2020, buying the car from a private seller on the 31/01/20 and sailing home on 1/02/20. Just in case.

You need a dated invoice to vrt the car. You’ll have to write on a piece of paper “I purchased x car from x person on x date” and you and the seller need to sign it and date it. That can be proof.

Anyway theres a transition period until the end of the year so your grand. But you do need that invoice either way

shirazhyder84 · 22-01-2020 2:41pm

I got more clarity on the Brexit issue by going through the revenue website.

VAT + Customs duty + VRT will be payable if there is a no-deal brexit (if the UK does not sign the withdrawl agreement).

If the UK signs the withdrawl agreement then there will be no change in the registration process during the transition period until Dec 2020.

We will have to wait and watch.

The Mulk · 22-01-2020 2:45pm

User1998 wrote: »

You need a dated invoice to vrt the car. You’ll have to write on a piece of paper “I purchased x car from x person on x date” and you and the seller need to sign it and date it. That can be proof.

Anyway theres a transition period until the end of the year so your grand. But you do need that invoice either way

That can be arranged. I suppose the fact that the ferry is early Sat. morning (01/02/20) The money is transferred already so I have that proof as well, (car is being purchased from a family member). I'll just check whatever other documents I need. I always bought from garages before.

The Mulk · 22-01-2020 3:41pm

Rang Revenue, they have no clue about a no deal Brexit and it's potential repercussions and NCTS said a hand written invoice and logbook are enough for them to prove date of purchase/ownership. I'll bide my time and see, I can always sail back on the 31st if worst comes to the worst. Reckon I'll be ok, dates wise.

EletricMan · 22-01-2020 9:58pm

What's the best site to check a UK reg?

User1998 · 22-01-2020 10:42pm

Mot history check is free and checks the mileage. For a full check I used Car Analytics

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/?_ga=2.248208775.1857989789.1579729157-1679515357.1579729157

https://www.caranalytics.co.uk/select-product

LillySV · 23-01-2020 12:39am

Lads I’m half thinking about going over to I’m for afew days next week to see what’s available and the state of the machines... I’m not sure where would be best... would there be better cheaper options up in Manchester and area around it or would I be better looking towards London ? Or any other car company suggestions ?

Car99 · 23-01-2020 12:47am

LillySV wrote: »

Lads I’m half thinking about going over to I’m for afew days next week to see what’s available and the state of the machines... I’m not sure where would be best... would there be better cheaper options up in Manchester and area around it or would I be better looking towards London ? Or any other car company suggestions ?

Up north is cheaper. Buying private or dealer?

bazz26 · 23-01-2020 1:29am

LillySV wrote: »

Lads I’m half thinking about going over to I’m for afew days next week to see what’s available and the state of the machines... I’m not sure where would be best... would there be better cheaper options up in Manchester and area around it or would I be better looking towards London ? Or any other car company suggestions ?

I'd be looking at around the Preston, Manchester, Liverpool or even Leeds. Cheap flights to Manchester airport and then hop on a train. You then have the ferry option of Liverpool or Hollyhead. Cars tend to be a bit more expensive in London and then you have a fairly long enough trip ahead of you back to Swansea or Pembroke for the ferry.

LillySV · 23-01-2020 2:21am

Car99 wrote: »

Up north is cheaper. Buying private or dealer?

.

If u mean Northern Ireland , I don’t think the difference is enough ... still relatively dear to Uk

LillySV · 23-01-2020 2:22am

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd be looking at around the Preston, Manchester, Liverpool or even Leeds. Cheap flights to Manchester airport and then hop on a train. You then have the ferry option of Liverpool or Hollyhead. Cars tend to be a bit more expensive in London and then you have a fairly long enough trip ahead of you back to Swansea or Pembroke for the ferry.

Yea afew of the cars I seen seem to be around that area... Leeds Doncaster Manchester .... u buy from there yourself or know of any good dealers there?

2 Wheels Good · 23-01-2020 12:25pm

LillySV wrote: »

Yea afew of the cars I seen seem to be around that area... Leeds Doncaster Manchester .... u buy from there yourself or know of any good dealers there?

Also, thoughts on extra potential for rust from harsher winters and gritting from northern cars?

bazz26 · 23-01-2020 1:20pm

LillySV wrote: »

Yea afew of the cars I seen seem to be around that area... Leeds Doncaster Manchester .... u buy from there yourself or know of any good dealers there?

Not me but I went over with a colleague about 2 years ago and he bought in Preston. Got a flight into Manchester, 1 hour train up to Preston and then just over 2 hour drive to Hollyhead. Bought from Evan Halshaw Ford.

deezell · 23-01-2020 1:26pm

LillySV wrote: »

Yea afew of the cars I seen seem to be around that area... Leeds Doncaster Manchester .... u buy from there yourself or know of any good dealers there?

For value, and car supermarket prices from a main dealer, Marshall Mercedes, Preston, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, they always have modest miles fairly well specced cars, ex PCP lease and the like. Mercs for t'ordinary Lancashire lad, see?
Motorsavedirect in Crewe for higher specced immaculate examples of 4-5 year old cars, if thats your bracket. A real personal operation. All very handy to Holyhead.

dunnacoirbe50 · 23-01-2020 6:05pm

Hoping someone might be able to help me.

Looking to buy a VW caddy in NI.

Whats involved with getting it cleared down here vrt wise.

Wouldnt have a VAT number either so wondering what implications thatwould have.

Thanks

mickdw · 23-01-2020 7:07pm

As far as I know 200 quid, job done.

Taxing it might be a bigger issue. Have you a business or a farm herd number?

dunnacoirbe50 · 23-01-2020 7:13pm

Nope no business, what issue would pop up with taxing it?

Isambard · 23-01-2020 7:32pm

dunnacoirbe50 wrote: »

Nope no business, what issue would pop up with taxing it?

you'd have to tax it Private . (unless you lie on the declaration you'll have to make saying you won't use it privately.

Tabby McTat · 23-01-2020 8:05pm

deezell wrote: »

For value, and car supermarket prices from a main dealer, Marshall Mercedes, Preston, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, they always have modest miles fairly well specced cars, ex PCP lease and the like. Mercs for t'ordinary Lancashire lad, see?
Motorsavedirect in Crewe for higher specced immaculate examples of 4-5 year old cars, if thats your bracket. A real personal operation. All very handy to Holyhead.

+1 on Marshall. Bought a car from their Audi dealership in Bexley, London a few years ago and they were a dream to deal with.

mickdw · 23-01-2020 8:22pm

dunnacoirbe50 wrote: »

Nope no business, what issue would pop up with taxing it?

You cannot run a van on commercial tax now without valid reason. Farmers are ok and business are obviously ok.
Your employer can give a letter stating that you use the van in connection with your employment if that is true.
Otherwise, don't buy a van. Commercial tax is fairly expensive now versus private car too.

For fun · 23-01-2020 9:28pm

mickdw wrote: »

As far as I know 200 quid, job done.

Taxing it might be a bigger issue. Have you a business or a farm herd number?

if its registered as a commercial - van - then tax is commercial - given. By that I mean the VRT on a van is €200 once it is standard - tax follows the registration. You don't need a company to register a van, private persons can register

LillySV · 23-01-2020 9:58pm

bazz26 wrote: »

Not me but I went over with a colleague about 2 years ago and he bought in Preston. Got a flight into Manchester, 1 hour train up to Preston and then just over 2 hour drive to Hollyhead. Bought from Evan Halshaw Ford.

i seen a car from Evan Halshaw...your mate got on fine so? Are they linked to Stratstone? Theres a link to one of their cars on the stratstone site

mickdw · 23-01-2020 10:03pm

For fun wrote: »

if its registered as a commercial - van - then tax is commercial - given. By that I mean the VRT on a van is €200 once it is standard - tax follows the registration. You don't need a company to register a van, private persons can register

Yes I'm aware of that but how will he tax it?

deezell · 23-01-2020 10:05pm

For fun wrote: »

if its registered as a commercial - van - then tax is commercial - given. By that I mean the VRT on a van is €200 once it is standard - tax follows the registration. You don't need a company to register a van, private persons can register

I think what was meant is that you pay private car road tax on a van thats used privately. It was a big issue when road tax was cc based, Van tax was only a few hundred but a 2l diesel road tax was 700 or more, hence all the young lads horsing around in vans in the 90's, well into the noughties, (Renault19, Citroen ZX and Peugeot 306 just some of the lad Vans that decorated my driveway). If you had a few acres you could get the commercial road tax without a VAT number, but had to take a DOE test every year.
Small van tax, like a caddy, is now €333, but could be less if it was emissions based as a car, as that 2l diesel engine has only 128g emissions, annual road tax in the 5 door car version of this is €270, €63 per year less. However, if you import a van, VRT is only €200, there's no Nox charge, and you will get a VAT qualifying receipt in the UK, meaning you should get back UK VAT should you have to pay irish VAT post Feb. 1st.

For fun · 23-01-2020 10:06pm

LillySV wrote: »

i seen a car from Evan Halshaw...your mate got on fine so? Are they linked to Stratstone? Theres a link to one of their cars on the stratstone site

Evans Halshaw are huge, they own carstore(UK) and many main dealer franchises. I have a fair bit of experience with them and here's my advice

Don't ask them to move a car to a closer location - it takes forever and many times a car has taken weeks to do so

Be sure to get the car inspected, they are reputable but I have had issues with them - even 2018 sub 10K miles

Prices are fixed and generally come with an admin fee

Presence of the V5 is random, often, especially Carstore you get a copy - so beware

Other than that go for it!

For fun · 23-01-2020 10:13pm

deezell wrote: »

I think what was meant is that you pay private car road tax on a van thats used privately. It was a big issue when road tax was cc based, Van tax was only a few hundred but a 2l diesel road tax was 700 or more, hence all the young lads horsing around in vans in the 90's, well into the noughties, (Renault19, Citroen ZX and Peugeot 306 just some of the lad Vans that decorated my driveway). If you had a few acres you could get the commercial road tax without a VAT number, but had to take a DOE test every year.
Small van tax, like a caddy, is now €333, but could be less if it was emissions based as a car, as that 2l diesel engine has only 128g emissions, annual road tax in the 5 door car version of this is €270, €63 per year less. However, if you import a van, VRT is only €200, there's no Nox charge, and you will get a VAT qualifying receipt in the UK, meaning you should get back UK VAT should you have to pay irish VAT post Feb. 1st.

I register these regularly and a private individual can register a van in their name. A van has an M1 designation by default its commercial, insurance is another issue but tax by definition is commercial

bazz26 · 23-01-2020 10:20pm

LillySV wrote: »

i seen a car from Evan Halshaw...your mate got on fine so? Are they linked to Stratstone? Theres a link to one of their cars on the stratstone site

We had a few hiccups alright. Delay with payment transfer by his credit card was down to the credit card company not releasing the money despite being prepped in advance. Sorted when he rang them. Second delay was with the dealer not being familiar with selling to an Irish customer. Kept trying to tax the car for 1 month which meant setting up a direct debit but wouldn't work unless you have a UK bank account. Eventually paid by card for 6 months and got a refund from the DVLA for the unused tax when we got home and it was registered on Irish plates.

Luckily the ferry wasn't until later in the evening as we left the dealership during rush hour. The ferry ticket was a flexible ticket so we had a bit of time to judge if we would make the original ferry or if we had to change to the later sailing. But once we got outside Preston we made good progress on the motorway and luckily there were no roadworks or major delays getting our original ferry.

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

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