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

Hi Folks,

I just imported a car today and got the new reg number etc this morning.
I went to tax it but motortax.ie is not recognising the number plate?
The number plate is not recognised anywhere at the moment. I suppose there must be a waiting period?

My worry is the guy gave me the wrong reg number. Or put the wrong reg down on the documents. He didn't really seem like he knew what he was doing. That VRT desk in Greenhills in Dublin I would stay away from. The folks in ballymount are miles better.

Guys, a crew cab van, Peugeot partner, from the North. 3 years old. What will be the vrt and expenses be on this, Have a registered company and VAT registered. Thanks.

how long ago was this?

If I was importing a secondhand Tesla built in the Giga Berlin Germany factory does that remove the 10% duty. Thanks. It is a VAT qualifing car so it would be 30000 - Uk VAT @ 20% and then when lands in Ireland + 23% vat is this correct?

It is a 2024 car built in Tesla Berlin does the VIN not prove it enough?

I am looking for a car for primary medical cert. Normally buying new is better as you get the full vat and vrt removed. However with the high price of new cars I'd like to explore second hand. I don't think there are many cars down south where you would quality for the waiver of the vat element. What about in the North, would there be a supply of cars that may qualify?

You can purchase a Hilux in northern Ireland from a dealer and all that is required is you show proof that VAT has been paid in northern Ireland along with paying VRT here.

As they are dealt with differently from a private vehicle then there's no import duty so you're away with it

What is needed to import a car from NI now?

Is it true that if the car has been registered for a certain length of time in NI then VRT and Nox is charged only on import?

For UK cars, the original V5C registration certificate should have it listed under section V - Vehicle Emission. There used to be a spreadsheet floating around from VRT office from a few years ago, but no idea if thats still available.

But if you cant obtain that info, if you know the Euro class of the engine, then it can be used as a guide to show what the maximum Nox charge will be.

Here is a breakdown of the NOx limits for each Euro standard, typically measured in grams per kilometer (g/km) - Note I pulled this straight from a Google search so you should check yourself.

Petrol Cars

Euro 1: 0.97 g/km (combined with hydrocarbons)

Euro 2: 0.50 g/km (combined with hydrocarbons)

Euro 3: 0.15 g/km

Euro 4: 0.08 g/km

Euro 5: 0.06 g/km

Euro 6: 0.06 g/km

Diesel Cars

Euro 1: 0.97 g/km (combined with hydrocarbons)

Euro 2: 0.70 g/km (combined with hydrocarbons)

Euro 3: 0.50 g/km

Euro 4: 0.25 g/km

Euro 5: 0.18 g/km

Euro 6: 0.08 g/km

Again if its a UK reg, then you can enter the number plate into a the Clean Air Zone checker to see what class the engine is.

If buying a used car from a dealer in NI, is haggling expected / the norm?