VAT on importing a car on the Mobility scheme in the North?
If a car is on the Mobility scheme in the north of Ireland, do I have to pay VAT and customs charges when importing to the South? The car is a 2020 model.
Patsy Hanlon (Donegal )Aug 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Patsy,
The VAT and import duty side of things is not affected by the car's modification for the Mobility scheme (though VRT and the NOx levy are).
So, same as any other car, if it has been in use in the North for a "reasonable amount of time" (according to Revenue), and you can prove that, then it will be exempt from VAT or import duty.
Is a 2008 Ferrari F430 exempt from VRT?
I'm considering buying a Ferrari F430 Spider from Northern Ireland and I live in Cork. It is a 2008. Is it exempt from VRT?
David (Cork)Aug 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi David,
I'm afraid not - no car is exempt from VRT (unless you're moving into Ireland with your own car from abroad).
Why has an imported BMW 520d higher tax?
I bought a 2016 BMW 5 Series (F10 2.0-litre diesel) from a garage and was thinking that the tax would be €200 for the year as I had the exact same car last year, but was a 2015 - tax band on CO2 emission was 111-120g/km.
Now when taxing the 2016 car the tax for the year it's showing as €600 for a year at CO2 emissions of 156g/km. It is a Jap import. I just want to make sure if there could be a mistake on the system or it is actually 156g/km emissions before I tax it?
Dilan (Dublin)Aug 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Dilan,
The lower CO2 rating of that earlier car was according to the old “NEDC” standard. Any cars imported since 2021 with an NEDC-standard CO2 figure (as this Jap import would have had) would have had the number 'uplifted' by Revenue to make it comparable to the newer WLTP standard. It was trying to reduce the number of older, more polluting diesels being imported, but it just means that people may more motor tax at times, even if the cars are identical to those already registered in Ireland.
Of course, a Japanese model's CO2 figure could be a little different on top of all that.
Are there companies who will sort out VRT for you?
Are there companies who will sort out VRT for you?
Matt (Cork Ireland)Aug 2025 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Matt,
If you mean are there companies that will do all the paperwork etc. and just give you a bill at the end, then yes there are. We've not used any of them ourselves so can't recommend any, but do a search online for those specialising in importing cars from the UK or Northern Ireland - and then look for public reviews of the services.
Any word on the Peugeot 5008 PHEV?
Hi,
I asked the question earlier in the year., but any further updates on the release in Ireland of the Peugeot 5008 plug-in hybrid?
Love the reviews.
Thanks
Daniel Vickers (Wicklow)Aug 2025 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Daniel,
We asked Gowan Autos again and it confirmed it is still coming, but not until 2026 now.
Any costs bringing a car to GB from Northern Ireland?
Hi,
I am a UK resident, and I have seen a car I am interested in purchasing that is currently in Northern Ireland. If I buy that car and it is brought over to GB, am I liable for any charges at all? I understand that if it's been in Northern Ireland for some time then there's no duty to pay and no VAT. I'm just wondering if there would be any other charges to me.
Phil Turner (Warrington England)Aug 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Phil,
If the car is registered in Northern Ireland already then you can just bring it over to any other part of the UK without a problem. There will be no taxes or charges other than transporting it.
How much does Lexus charge for delivery?
Hi,
Any idea what are the delivery charges for Lexus cars in Ireland?
Joe Ruddy (Warrington England)Aug 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
It's €1,100 for each car.
How to minimise VRT and NOx levy on a 2010 Range Rover?
Thinking of purchasing a 2010 Range Rover 3.6 in Northern Ireland. It has been owned in Northern Ireland for a number of years. Do I have to pay VRT and the NOx levy?
Another scenario: if I got the owner to change it to a crewcab/commerical would this impact the VRT and NOx levy charge?
I know it would change the tax when registered in Ireland. Any advice of best solution if I was thinking of doing this?
Danny (Warrington England)Aug 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Danny,
While it sounds like the car shouldn't attract VAT or import duty (you'll need to prove it was used in Northern Ireland), all passenger cars being imported are subject to VRT and the NOx levy. If it's a commercial, there is no NOx levy, but there would still be VRT, calculated differently. Revenue has quite a strict definition of what a commercial SUV is though, so make sure you know what you're doing before you make that move.
Read our How Much VRT Is Paid In Ireland? guide for more information
Does an imported car from the North have to be in 'private' use?
I am about to import a car from the north of Ireland that was originally registered in the UK in early 2022 and brought into Northern Ireland in late 2022.
I can show it was in the North for a reasonable amount of time (about three years), but the car is a company car and as a result it is registered to a Northern Irish company.
When reading the VRT rules it seems to suggest that the car must be shown to be in "private" ownership in the North for a period of time to be VAT and customs exempt.
Does this mean I will be liable for VAT and customs if I import this car? Is there any way to avoid this?
Conor (Waterford)Aug 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Conor,
Our understanding is that it will be good enough to show that the car has been in use, even if it was a company car. Essentially, once the car has not been brought in by a car dealer to sell on right away it is likely to be exempt from VAT and import duty.
As ever, we encourage would-be importers to check their individual case with Revenue direct before committing to a purchase.
Reckon this Honda will be VAT-free on importation?
Hi,
I am possibly going to try import a 242 Honda CR-V from a dealer in Belfast. It's a July 2024 car and has 20,000km on it. They gave me the V5 logbook and a TSS form. Do you think Revenue will accept this so it will be exempt from VAT and import duty?
Fiona (Dublin)Aug 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Fiona,
So long as the TSS shows that the car was imported into Northern Ireland according to the Windsor Framework, then yes, it should be exempt from VAT and import duty. We always advise readers to double-check with Revenue before committing to a sale.