Buying a van in Northern Ireland.

I am buying a crewcab van in Northern Ireland and I have two options. I can buy one on English plates or one that has been registered in Northern Ireland for the past four months but was originally on English plates.

Can you work out how much VRT and Import Duty would need to be paid if buying either? I know both are worked out on the value of the van but how does Revenue put a value on the van? Is there a saving by buying the one on NI plates or the English registered one? What paperwork is required to register either van?

Ger O'Leary (Wexford)

Jan 2025 Filed under: importing

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Expert answer

Hi Ger,

If the van on English plates has not been imported fully into Northern Ireland and used there then you are likely to be liable for VAT and import duty on it for sure. Those are calculated according to the price paid for the van so you’d need paperwork to cover that.

If you go for the van already registered and used in the North then get as much paperwork and proof of that as possible before you bring the van for inspection.

You’d have to pay VRT on either van, calculated as 13.3 per cent of the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price). This is the value Revenue estimates for itself and it’s far from an exact science. If you disagree with the assessment you can appeal it, but only after you’ve actually paid the VRT.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor
@Shane_O_D