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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I can't get the CO2 and NOx figure my my import...

Hello,

I'm a 78-year-old disabled driver and I've imported a November 1997 Toyota Caldina GT-T (turbocharged 2.0-litre '3SGTE' engine, AWD wagon) with 59,000km on the clock.

I've been to the NCT test centre in Ennis, Co Clare they need proof of the CO₂ and NOx emissions. If I cannot come up with the emissions, what happens next?

Thanks in advance for your help

Peter Leonard (Gort )

Jan 2026 Filed under: importing

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Can I import this Fiesta from the North without paying duty?

Hi,

I read your article 'Importing a car from Northern Ireland'. I am looking to buy a 2022 car from Belfast. It has a Northern Irish registration and was registered as a new car in October 2022.

Can I check would I be liable for import tax on the vehicle? Or does it need to be registered before Jan 2021 to be exempt?

From Revenue you mentioned : “A vehicle that has previously been in use in Northern Ireland can be registered for VRT in the State, without liability to additional customs duties and import VAT. Proof will be required that the vehicle has been in private ownership for a reasonable period of time - a copy of the V5C showing the last registered keeper in NI and the date of registration to that keeper.”

The car I'm hoping to buy is a 2022 Ford Fiesta Trend with one previous private owner.

Thanks

IEMcNally (Enfield)

Jan 2026 Filed under: importing

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I need help importing a VW Caddy from the North...

Hi there,

I am hoping to purchase a Volkswagen Caddy from the North of Ireland. I have read so much information regarding VRT and VAT when importing a vehicle that I have myself confused.

From what I can gather, the vehicle needs to have been used in the North of Ireland for at least six months to remove the need to pay the VRT (or at least a reduced rate). I am not VAT registered, so this area has confused me.

I know I have to pay 20 per cent VAT when purchasing the vehicle in the North. But do I also have to pay the 23 per cent VAT rate when bringing the van into the South? If so, is it 23 per cent of the total price I initially paid for the van?

Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

Ciarán (Meath)

Jan 2026 Filed under: importing

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How much to import an old Isuzu Trooper?

I would like to buy an Isuzu Trooper SUV, over 20 years old, in Northern Ireland, and import it to southern Ireland (Dublin). Can you please let me know, approximately, how much it would cost, on top of the price of the vehicle, if l paid €2,250 for it? It has a 3.0-litre diesel engine and 195,000 kilometres on the clock. It's a five-seater.

Brian Mcgovern

Aug 2025 Filed under: importing

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Importing a secondhand commercial from Northern Ireland...

Hi there.

I'm looking at purchasing a commercial pick up from a private seller in Northern Ireland. It's plus VAT and as I am not VAT-registered I will need to pay this when purchasing.

To import it properly is there any documentation I will need alongside the V5 booklet and proof of its current MOT? As it's not being sold by a dealership is there a specific way I need to provide proof of purchase when I attend for VRT registration?

Many thanks

Stephen (Dublin )

Oct 2025 Filed under: importing

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Looking to import a 1979 motor bike from the UK.

Hi,

I am thinking about buying a vintage motorbike from the UK but having trouble working out the import charges. It's a 1979 bike so I believe this is exempt from paying VRT but not sure if I will need to pay VAT or any other customs charges once I have transported it over?

The bike is £1,500. Would you be able to advise me?

Thanks

Gill D (Roscommon )

Oct 2025 Filed under: importing

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Can I bring a motorhome through the North to England?

I have a UK-reg motorhome with a logbook at an English address; I'm looking at how I can move the car to Portugal through NI to reduce import duties in Portugal.

Luke Boylan (Newquay)

Dec 2025 Filed under: importing

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Any issues importing a Japanese 'Kei' truck to Ireland?

I'm looking to purchase and import a second-hand 'Kei' truck from Japan into Ireland. Do you know of any compliance issues that may impact my ability to register the vehicle in Ireland?

Paul (Cork)

Dec 2025 Filed under: importing

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Wondering is it worth importing a VW Tiguan PHEV?

Hi,

I have a question related to importing a car from the UK. I have read your guide and it's very informative.

I am trying to work out how much it will cost me to import a 2025 VW Tiguan 1.5 PHEV basic spec model from England. It would be more than six months old and have about 15,000km on the clock.

How much would the price difference be depending on if it was from the UK mainland or NI and is there a decent saving to be made compared to buying one from a garage here?

I see many Irish VW garages are selling 2025 used imported UK cars on their forecourts so I'm presuming there is value to be had by importing.

Many thanks

Dillon (Kildare)

Dec 2025 Filed under: importing

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