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Do I pay customs duty on this 2019 car from the North?
I am privately buying a car from Northern Ireland registered in 2019. I understand the VRT but have no idea how and where to do custom duty to bring it across the border. Can you advise on this please?
Thanks so much.
Patrick Grant (Carlow, Ireland)Mar 2025 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
The good news is that, as the car was registered before 2021 in Northern Ireland - and presumably has been there ever since - no customs duty or VAT is payable at all, just VRT and the NOx levy.
You will need paperwork from the seller to prove its status in the North, but otherwise you just bring it in and book it in for an inspection at an NCT centre to get your VRT bill etc. before registering it.
Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor
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