A question about importing from the North...

A question about importing from the North...

ive been told that if a car has been registered by a private owner in NORTERN IRELAND FOR A MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS OR MORE ( EVEN IF PRIOR TO THAT IT CAME FROM AND WAS REGISTERED IN UK MAINLAND ) THEN IM TOLD ITS NOT LIABLE FOR VAT OR CUSTOMS DUTY AND THAT THE ONLY CHARGES TO REGISTER IT IN REPUBLIC OF IRELAND IS THE VRT CHARGE AND THE NOX CHARGE CAN YOU VERIFY THAT THAT IS CORRECT THANKS AWAITING YOUR REPLY JOHN

Our answer:

Hi Johnnie,

That is generally all correct, though beware of a few things. First up, Revenue does not state any specific minimum amount of time and says it will take every import on a case-by-case basis. We believe as low as three months is fine so long as the car hasn't just been brought through the North from England to be sold on. Secondly, you need to be able to prove the car's status with documentation, such as MOTs carried out in Northern Ireland.

Shane O'Donoghue

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