Can I get an NI dealer to import a car for me?

Hi,

Great article 'Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland'. I'm looking to import a used car (older than two years) from NI to ROI but as the NI market is very limited in stock for the make/model I'm looking for the car would need to originally come from GB (bigger market, more choice).

With the latest Revenue guidelines on 'Vehicles that were not previously in use in NI', in theory is there any downside (legally or financially) to me asking an NI dealer to buy a specific car from a GB dealer on my behalf but in the dealer's name, import it to NI under the Windsor Framework and sell the car to me for import to ROI and give me a copy of the NI Customs Declaration?

Do I understand correctly from Revenue's guidelines and your article that this would then leave me liable to VRT but not to ROI customs or VAT?

When importing the car to NI, does the dealer have to pay UK customs and VAT that they would then likely have to pass the cost on to me in the form of a higher sale price? Or can the NI dealer reclaim the UK VAT upon selling the car to me for export to ROI?

I just want to pre-determine any additional costs beyond VRT and any fee the NI dealer may add on.

Thanks in advance for your help

George Davis (GREYSTONES)

Sep 2024 Filed under: importing

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Expert answer

Hi George,

I believe your thinking is all correct, except that there is no onus on the dealer to pass on the VAT reclaim saving to you.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor
@Shane_O_D