How much to import my Toyota from the Middle East?

Hello, hoping this query finds you well. I am SO happy to find a site like this :) (especially for those women among us who aren't the most clued up on all car issues)

I'm hoping to be moving back home early mid summer 2015 and am hoping to bring my SUV with me... if it's financially feasible to do so. I'd be importing it from where we bought it in the Middle East in 2008 (2009 model). It's a Toyota Fortuner GX2 2.7 five-door petrol - I can't find exact or approximate costs for a VRT band on this, what road tax be like for it or get online insurance quotes for it either, so am wondering if you could throw any light on this for me please, as I'd rather avoid the case of some possible nasty shocks by doing my homework from now on this.

Many thanks for any advice at all. Rosemarie, from Cork.

Rosemarie O'Riordan (Cork)

Nov 2014 Filed under: importing

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Expert answer

Hi Rosemarie,

OK, good news - if it's coming in with a transfer of residence, and you can show that you've been the owner and user of the vehicle for at least six months prior, then it's basically free. There may still be a small fee payable for re-registering the vehicle (Revenue seems to be oddly coy about this fact), but basically once you can show it's yours and you're moving home, then you can bring it in for nothing. Just make sure you alert Revenue to the presence of the vehicle within seven days and then get the re-registering done within 30 days.

Road tax, I'm afraid though, will be payable at the top rate of €2,350 per annum, which is a nasty bill to have to foot every year. Insurance costs are likewise probably going to be hefty, as it's a vehicle most Irish insurers won't know even exists. Your best bet, in terms of running costs, may be to sell it before you leave and use the cash to get yourself something a bit more tax and insurance friendly when you get here.

Let us know how you get on

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe