Do I pay UK VAT when importing a car?

If I am buying a car in the UK to bring to Ireland (taking it through VRT on entry) do I still have to pay the UK VAT on the price of the car?

Molly Green (Co Louth)

Feb 2016 Filed under: importing

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Expert answer

Hi Molly,

Effectively, yes. If you're buying it brand new, then you can, theoretically, export it from the UK and claim back the VAT, but you really need an accountant, not a motoring journalist, to walk you through that process. Of course, you'll have to pay Irish VAT on it then. You'll have to pay VAT twice, essentially, if you're buying nearly new - a car under six months old is liable to Irish VAT upon entry into the state, and of course you'll already have essentially paid the UK VAT in the purchase price. You could claim it back of course, but again that's a job for an accountant.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor
@neilmbriscoe