quick import VAT question

[fuzzymonkey]

If you buy a second hand car that is over 10 years old from private individual, do you still have to pay the VAT when you import it in?
Looking on the customs web site and it kind of implies that you have to, which seems a little unfair as you dont pay VAT when normally purchasing a car from a person

[Roo]

Yep, and duty as well.

[HD Adam]

fuzzymonkey said:

If you buy a second hand car that is over 10 years old from private individual, do you still have to pay the VAT when you import it in?
Looking on the customs web site and it kind of implies that you have to, which seems a little unfair as you dont pay VAT when normally purchasing a car from a person

That's because the VAT & Duty had already been paid by the person who bought it new.

[andy rob]

if you import anything from the us, you have to pay duty on purshase price then vat on total price including shipping
rip off britain !!
thats why the yanks call us 'treasure island' cos its so expensive to what they are used to

[fuzzymonkey]

HD Adam said:

fuzzymonkey said:

If you buy a second hand car that is over 10 years old from private individual, do you still have to pay the VAT when you import it in?
Looking on the customs web site and it kind of implies that you have to, which seems a little unfair as you dont pay VAT when normally purchasing a car from a person

That's because the VAT & Duty had already been paid by the person who bought it new.

Yes that kind of makes more sense but then if you purchase a car privately then how would they know what you paid for it...

[Viper]

you have to show purchase receipts, and ive read sometimes the bank transfer statement if they think your trying to diddle them

Edited by Viper on Monday 2nd August 21:31

[andy rob]

yes ive had to show bank statments, & remember if you get an invoice for less then its also insured for that lesser amount when it on the boat

[Hensen]

There is a legal way around it. Buy your dream car, register and insure it in the USA and leave it there for over 6 months, then you can import it totally free of all taxes..........enjoy.

[HD Adam]

Hensen said:

There is a legal way around it. Buy your dream car, register and insure it in the USA and leave it there for over 6 months, then you can import it totally free of all taxes..........enjoy.

Yes, but you need to be non resident in the UK for tax purposes at the same time.

[LuS1fer]

HD Adam said:

Hensen said:

There is a legal way around it. Buy your dream car, register and insure it in the USA and leave it there for over 6 months, then you can import it totally free of all taxes..........enjoy.

Yes, but you need to be non resident in the UK for tax purposes at the same time.

Yep and be able to prove you lived there with utility bills etc.