Transporting car to ROI
Discussion
A friend’s son is working in ROI for a period and his UK car is having issues. His dad had bought him a new (used) car in the UK and wants to get this to his son and bring the troublesome car back.
We have access to an enclosed car trailer, am I correct in thinking we can’t just chuck the new one in the trailer, get the ferry to Dublin, swap the cars over in ROI and then get the ferry back?
Google seems to suggest customs declarations/import duties etc are involved but I can’t seem to fond a definitive answer for this situation.
Any advice much appreciated!
We have access to an enclosed car trailer, am I correct in thinking we can’t just chuck the new one in the trailer, get the ferry to Dublin, swap the cars over in ROI and then get the ferry back?
Google seems to suggest customs declarations/import duties etc are involved but I can’t seem to fond a definitive answer for this situation.
Any advice much appreciated!
I'm in NI but used to bring cars back and forth a lot from England and Scotland. The handiest option really depends where you are - I used to to go Cairnryan or Liverpool to Belfast (Cairnryan is a fast ferry, Liverpool an overnighter), but you can also go Holyhead direct to ROI (Dublin). If you come into Belfast first it's only a 90 min drive down to Dublin and the 'border' is not a physical border any more so it's pretty much an easy and straight motorway run most of the way.
Non-ROI residents can use a UK car in ROI for up to 12 months, but must be the registered owner, hold valid UK tax and insurance, and carry a UK driving licence. If stopped by the Irish police (Garda), your mate's son may have to provide proof of a UK address/residence.
If in ROI longer than 12 months, the vehicle owner is viewed as having moved to the state. Under that rule, there is a 30 day limit to get the car registered in ROI. I'd advise avoiding this if possible as the VRT taxation can be steep, never mind all the hassle of paperwork.
Not to tarnish anyone, but there are quite a few ROI residents who buy cars cheaper in UK/NI than ROI, then continue to drive them on the original plates to avoid paying VRT. I know this as our family car business has sold plenty of them and on occasion we've had penalties etc sent to us because the car was never reregistered. So drivers of UK plate cars can sometimes be a target during crackdowns on these, particularly if the car is being seen regularly by Garda - so best to keep it compliant and stick to the rules if there for 12 months +.
Can't see any issue with enclosed car trailer, I see them regularly over here.
Non-ROI residents can use a UK car in ROI for up to 12 months, but must be the registered owner, hold valid UK tax and insurance, and carry a UK driving licence. If stopped by the Irish police (Garda), your mate's son may have to provide proof of a UK address/residence.
If in ROI longer than 12 months, the vehicle owner is viewed as having moved to the state. Under that rule, there is a 30 day limit to get the car registered in ROI. I'd advise avoiding this if possible as the VRT taxation can be steep, never mind all the hassle of paperwork.
Not to tarnish anyone, but there are quite a few ROI residents who buy cars cheaper in UK/NI than ROI, then continue to drive them on the original plates to avoid paying VRT. I know this as our family car business has sold plenty of them and on occasion we've had penalties etc sent to us because the car was never reregistered. So drivers of UK plate cars can sometimes be a target during crackdowns on these, particularly if the car is being seen regularly by Garda - so best to keep it compliant and stick to the rules if there for 12 months +.
Can't see any issue with enclosed car trailer, I see them regularly over here.
He’d need to be the registered keeper for more than six months to avoid VRT etc. I believe that there is a temporary import scheme but it’s probably still going to cost. Probably best to contact them directly and ask for their advice. If they stop you, 99% of the time your car is getting impounded. Even the storage fees can be €25/50 per day.
Also make sure to pay the M50 toll charges if applicable. You’ll find your car on the back of a tow truck very quickly if you ignore it.
Also make sure to pay the M50 toll charges if applicable. You’ll find your car on the back of a tow truck very quickly if you ignore it.
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