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Are we liable for VAT and duty on this car imported from the North?
We bought a car from a large motor dealer in Belfast; the car had NI plates and was shown as first registered on 07/09/2021. We asked before purchasing about the VRT situation and were informed that it would qualify for only VRT and NOx charges.
Since returning with the car we have discovered that the registration was changed from a UK registration to an NI one on 27/10/2025. The V5 document gives the dealer's corporate name as the registered owner, and the invoice supplied by them states “the vehicle described is either a vehicle that has had multiple users as part of a fleet and/or ex business use”. The current MOT was done on the original UK plate, and we never received a paper copy of this, and as we only have a V5 for the new NI registration, we cannot access this information through the DVLA website.
How will this information affect our VRT calculation, and what other supporting documentation would be required to qualify for only VRT/NOx charges, and not duty and VAT as well?
Robert (Kerry)
Jan 2026 Filed under: importing
I can't get the NOx figure for a Golf GTI imported from Japan...
Hey,
I imported a 2009 VW Golf Pirelli GTI (model code ABA-1KBYD) from Japan. I need to get the NOx figure but failed to find it on MLIT. Can ye guys help? Volkswagen was very unhelpful.
Regards
Tom (Kerry)
Feb 2026 Filed under: importing
How to get the NOx rating for a Japanese imported BMW 523d?
Hi there,
I just imported a 2019 BMW 523d and I found the CO2 value from MLIT, but the NOx emissions rating is not on the spreadsheet; could you help me please?
Jason (Dublin 14)
Feb 2026 Filed under: importing
Is a cert of conformity enough for NOx for Revenue?
Hello,
I am thinking of importing a Mercedes diesel car from Japan. I was not able to find NOx values on the MILT website for the car. I know the Japan Inspection Organisation can provide a Certificate of Conformity.
Any idea if that would be enough for Revenue?
Thanks
Jarek (Balbriggan)
Feb 2026 Filed under: importing
Will I have to pay VAT on this ex-fleet car from the North?
Hi there,
I am just wondering as to the applicability of VAT on ex-fleet imports from the NI. I am looking at buying a 2025 Ford from a main dealer up north. The salesperson I spoke to in this branch, and the salesperson in another branch also, assured me that the car in question would not attract VAT.
For reference, the car was originally registered in NI on an NI reg and has remained with that owner since its first registration. However, it was used by a lease fleet company and has been "sold" back to the dealership at the end of that period.
I spoke to Revenue today who confirmed that that is generally fine, but that, depending on who you get, they may require evidence of actual use in NI to avoid applying customs and VAT, i.e. to ensure it was not NI-registered and used in GB.
This is an issue as, due to its age, it has no service history (one being performed now) and has not had to do an MOT. The dealer is happy to provide records of the pre-delivery inspection immediately prior to its registration in NI, and also to issue a letter stating that, to their best knowledge, it was always in use in NI during that period of ownership.
I think the person I spoke to in Revenue is correct in saying that it depends who I get on the day (stupid) as various online posts from 2024-2026 indicate that it can either be totally fine on account of it being registered at an NI address, or the fact that it was owned by a company as opposed to an individual may be a red flag and trigger a demand for additional evidence of actual use.
What do you think?
Richard (Dublin)
Feb 2026 Filed under: importing
Do I pay VRT and VAT on importing a BMW iX?
Hi,
I am looking to bring a fully electric car in from Northern Ireland. I am currently looking at a 2022 BMW iX priced at £32,000 sterling (circa. €37k). The car is registered in Northern Ireland and not GB.
Will this be open to VRT or VAT charges on import, and is there a limit to electric car prices coming into Ireland from NI (registered in NI) for which they are then subject to VRT or VAT?
Thanks for the help.
Jason Kirrane (Kildare)
Feb 2026 Filed under: importing
How much to bring in a crew-cab van from the UK
Hi,
I am just wondering if you could advise me on the cost of importing a crew cab van from the UK to Ireland. Ideally a 1.6 diesel Renault Trafic LWB with six seats, 2019ish with approx. 80,000km on the clock (priced at £13,000).
The Revenue website does not seem to have a drop down menu for this exact type of van and I'd like to somehow get a close cost of what this van would cost me in total to bring it into Ireland before I begin the process of purchasing one.
Tomas (Waterford)
Feb 2026 Filed under: importing
What are costs to move my nearly-new car to Ireland?
How does importing a car work if you bought (brand new) in the North and lived there for a year, but then move to the south and imported the car when you move? What do you pay?
Zoe (Belfast)
Feb 2026 Filed under: importing
Looking at importing a Mercedes from Japan...
I am looking at importing a 2018 Mercedes S-Class Coupe from Japan.
1: Be Forward seem to be popular importers. Can you advise on their reputation or other preferred importers?
2. Is VAT and import duty from Japan the same as for UK? The Mercedes was originally made and exported from the EU (Germany).
Thank you
Mark Butler (Galway)
Feb 2026 Filed under: importing
Do I pay VAT on a NI car already in Ireland?
If I buy a N.I. second-hand car from someone in Ireland do I pay VAT?
Chris (Bray)
Jan 2026 Filed under: importing
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