What taxes on importing a nearly-new van from the North?

Hi,

If I buy a nearly new van in NI (more than 3,500kg), I assume if it is more than six months old and/or it has more than 6,000 miles on the clock I will be paying VAT to the NI dealer but saving on any customs duty? I am buying for private not commercial use.

Keith Cunningham (Dublin)

Nov 2025 Filed under: importing

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Expert answer

Hi Keith,

Your assumptions are correct, but only if the van was either originally registered in the North as new or it has been properly imported into the North from the rest of the UK by the dealer you're buying it from. You'll need paperwork to prove the point, so double-check that detail with the seller.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor