Post-Brexit, moving from the UK to Ireland...
Hi,
I arrived in Ireland from the UK on Jan 14 to live permanently. I bought a second hand Hyundai Santa Fe in the UK last June. So owned it now for seven months and I want to keep it. I was previously exempt from VRT/NOx tax, but has Brexit changed anything?
All my forms etc are with Revenue so am waiting to hear from them.
James Mortuin (Ennis)Jan 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi James,
You SHOULD be able to bring your car in with you without paying VRT or VAT, as, according to Revenue: “You may be able to claim relief from Customs Duty and Value-Added Tax (VAT). This relief applies to imports of the following: bicycles and motor cycles, private cars, trailers, caravans, pleasure craft and private aeroplanes." VRT would be waived, normally, for a transfer of residence. You’ll need to have all your paperwork in order, and you can bet that Revenue will be checking carefully to make sure no-one is trying to pull a fast one, but you should be OK.
Is there VAT on used cars from the North?
Is there VAT on second hand cars from the North?
Matt Flynn (Castlebar )Jan 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Matt,
Assuming you mean VAT on importing from the North, then the answer is no for the most part. The exception is on cars that are less than six months old or with fewer than 6,000km on the clock, as they are treated as new.
Ok to buy a car from North, previously in UK?
Hi.
If I buy a car in Northern Ireland dealership that was in Northern Ireland before 31st Dec, but originated in the UK, will I be liable for 10 per cent custom charges? If car was only brought into Northern Ireland from UK after 1st Jan, would 10 per cent custom charges apply in this instance also?
Sean Maher (Dublin)Jan 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
You should be fine, but I’d check with Revenue beforehand just to be certain. Revenue has previously told us that they will be carefully watching the papertrail of cars being imported from Northern Ireland to make sure that they’re not just being temporarily housed there to avoid the new taxes. If you’re buying from a dealer, though, it shouldn’t be an issue — after all, if you’ve bought from a dealer, then you’re just buying from their stock, and have no control over how long the car has been in the North. Just make sure that the papertrail for the purchase is clear and complete and you shouldn’t be liable for either the ten per cent import charge, nor the 21 per cent VAT (assuming the car is older than six months).
Can I claim back VAT on this Passat?
Hi.
I saw a 2018 Volkswagen Passat GTE for sale in the UK. It is VAT-qualifying. Does this mean I can claim back the VAT on it, therefore cancelling out paying the new VAT applied after Brexit? If so I will just be paying VRT?
Eoin Burke (Dublin)Jan 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Eoin,
If you are, yourself, VAT registered, or if your company is and you’re buying the car through the company, then that may well be possible, but I would check with your accountant just to be certain before taking any leaps. Also, don't forget about the NOx levy and customs duty that will be due regardless. Read our Guide to Importing Cars from the UK feature for full details.
Has Brexit affecting importing used cars?
How have/will the Brexit trade agreement effect importing cars from the UK?
Gerard Mccarthy (Mullingar)Jan 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Gerard,
Yes, the final Brexit-exit has indeed caused some changes. According to Revenue, if you’re importing a car from the UK, you will now have to complete an electronic customs declaration form BEFORE going to collect the vehicle (you can find them here) and you’ll then be liable for three potential costs — customs duty, VRT (as before, including the NOx charge) and VAT, currently at 21 per cent. That VAT charge, previously only applied to vehicles that are either new or less than six months old (or with fewer than 6,000km on the clock) now applies to all imports.
Except it doesn’t — if you import a car from Northern Ireland, thanks to NI’s new special status as per the Brexit withdrawal agreement, then the VAT will only be charged on new vehicles, and you won’t have to pay any customs duty (sometimes referred to as import duty).
Incidentally, that customs duty (which is charged at 10 per cent of the total value of the car, plus carriage costs) will NOT be applied if the car was built in the UK, or in an EU country. That’s a potential minefield as you’d be surprised how many cars that you assume to be British or European are actually made in, say, South Africa or the US. It obviously affects Japanese and Korean-built cars, but again, you’d be surprised how many of those that we buy are actually built in the UK, France, Slovakia or elsewhere in Europe.
How do I apply for car scrappage?
How do I apply for car scrappage?
Chloe Coyle (Mountrath)Jan 2021 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Chloe,
Well, you don’t apply for it as such — car importers and dealers offer some discounts and trade-in boosters that are called ‘scrappage’ but which are only occasionally about properly taking old cars off the road. Really, they’re more about giving those drivers with older cars, who would be more likely to buy second hand, a small leg-up on their trade-in so as to bring them to the new car side of the showroom. Incidentally, not all brands offer ‘scrappage’ deals and not all offer them at the same time. The last time there was an official Government-backed scrappage scheme was in 2010.
Do we pay VAT on UK-imported cars now?
If I import a second hand UK car (from England, Scotland or Wales) into the Republic of Ireland from 2021 on, am I liable to pay VAT and/or an import charge on top of the current VRT and NOx charge?
Keiron Fletcher (Meath)Jan 2021 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Keiron,
Yes, there’s been a bit of a shake-up in imports from the UK, post Jan 1st (which kind of got lost in all the COVID and Trump headlines). According to Revenue, if you’re importing a car from the UK, you will now have to complete an electronic customs declaration form BEFORE going to collect the vehicle (you can find them here) and you’ll then be liable for three potential costs — customs duty, VRT (as before, including the NOx charge) and VAT, currently at 21 per cent. That VAT charge, previously only applied to vehicles that were either new or less than six months old (or with fewer than 6,000km on the clock) now applies to all imports.
Except it doesn’t — if you import a car from Northern Ireland, thanks to NI’s new special status as per the Brexit withdrawal agreement, then the VAT will only be charged on new vehicles, and you won’t have to pay any customs duty (sometimes referred to as import duty).
Incidentally, that customs duty (which is charged at 10 per cent of the total value of the car, plus carriage costs) will NOT be applied if the car was built in the UK, or in an EU country. That’s a potential minefield as you’d be surprised how many cars that you assume to be British or European are actually made in, say, South Africa or the US. It obviously affects Japanese and Korean-built cars, but again, you’d be surprised how many of those that we buy are actually built in the UK, France, Slovakia or elsewhere in Europe.
I'm about to buy my first car...
I have €1,300 saved for a first car. Preferably looking for a Polo or Golf with a smaller engine but anything will do. What kind of insurance would I be looking at for a young driver on something like that?
Bevan Gillmor (Mullingar)Jan 2021 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Bevan,
Sadly, insurance is the critical thing here, and it’s the bit we can help you with least as Irish insurers — as ever — ladle on the risk when it comes to young drivers. Any ballpark figure we give you could be €1,000 — or more — out.
Should I stick with BMW diesel for now?
I drive 65,000km a year, mostly to Dublin, Cork and Galway and Dublin Airport. I have owned four 520d M Sports and on average get 40mpg. I am changing again and very interested in hybrid and considering a 530e M Sport with 26,000km on it. I change the car about every 15 months as I do high mileage and would like to go greener but running costs are my main concern. Currently I get the VAT back on diesel as I am VAT registered. I'm conscious that we will eventually have to go this way and wondering should I make that move now. What do you think?
Howard Simpson (Ballymoe)Dec 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Howard,
If I were you, I'd stick with diesel for now. Assuming that, with such high mileage, you won't have time to plug the car in to charge it up regularly, the 530e won't get near the 520d's average economy. Once the battery charge is used up, you're effectively driving a heavy petrol car. The fact you're VAT-registered and can claim back the VAT on the diesel is another reason to stick with it for now.
Yes, electrification is coming to all cars, but we don't believe it suits all motorists just yet. The beauty of you changing your car every 15 months is that you can react quite quickly to changes in taxation and new model launches.
Will my BMW 220i's tax change in 2021?
Hi,
I'm considering buying a car in the UK. It is a BMW 220i and has a 1,998cc engine. I would hope to have it registered in Ireland before the end of Dec 2020. I understand that the motor tax on higher-emitting engines is going to change from 2021, but is it likely that the tax on this car would be increased greatly?
Thank you for your assistance.
Mary
Mary Newe (Dublin)Dec 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
If you do manage to get it registered before the end of this month (if you've not already got a VRT appointment, I'm afraid to tell you that you are unlikely to now) then your car will be taxed on its NEDC CO2 rating, which I believe is 127g/km. That means €270 per annum now and no change for 2021. These guides might be of interest: