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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Any import charges on importing this ex-demo EV from NI?

Hi,

I am looking into importing a car from NI. I read your article and it was very helpful on this. I wanted to confirm, if I get a car from a NI dealer that was used as a demo car and has greater than 6,000km and was registered by the dealer in NI over six months ago, does it qualify for being VAT exempt?

Also if I read correctly, there is no customs charge or other import charges, is that correct? Obviously VRT will need to be paid, although from using the VRT calculator on Revenue website, it appears to be zero as it is an electric car.

San S (Dublin)

Dec 2025 Filed under: importing

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Can I change a car's value after it has been customs cleared?

Hi, I have imported five cars from Japan into Ireland.

For these cars, I was issued with two different invoices by the seller. One invoice showed higher values for all five cars, while a second invoice showed the correct purchase prices.

Unfortunately, due to my own mistake, I sent the higher-value invoice to my customs agent, and the cars were cleared through Customs using that incorrect invoice. The vehicles have now been released.

I now have the correct invoice, proof of bank transfer for the actual amounts paid, and auction hammer price documentation.

Is it possible to resubmit the correct documents and request a revaluation or refund of any overpaid customs charges based on the true purchase prices?

Umair Rasool (Ballinasloe)

Dec 2025 Filed under: importing

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Can I import my cousin's car VAT and duty free?

Hi there,

My cousin bought a 2020 car from the UK and lives in Northern Ireland. He has owned the car for six months and is looking to now sell it. Can I buy this car from him and import it into the Republic without paying duty or VAT?

Ian Ockenden (Dublin)

Oct 2025 Filed under: importing

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