Importing a UK bike via Northern Ireland.

[neiljitsu]

Hi All,

I'm looking to import a bike from the North that is on a UK plate.
Has anybody done it yet? What is the process, and what proof of entry into N.I. from the UK required?

Thanks in advance,

Neil.

 

[fatbaldbob]

NI is in the UK, you are not importing it as it’s from the UK, you just change ownership details on the V5 as you would any other bike from the mainland. So no proof is needed, NI and mainland vehicles are all on the same DVLA system.

Your post is not that clear though, it reads as though you are importing a bike from the mainland to NI or is the bike going to the South via the north? If so, then things are different.

 

[mgpaulie]

There is no difference in the process of importing a bike from mainland UK or NI into RPI. The only difference may be cost. If the bike has bedn in NI for a 'reasonable amount of time' circa 3 months, then only VRT to pay if not then VAT also to be paid. Assuming the bike in in NI and already on an NI V5 the date of registration in NI will be on the V5

 

[mgpaulie]

..oops ROI not RPI

 

[Hatcho]

Doesn't matter how long the bike has physically been in NI, what counts is how long it's been registered there. As mentioned above, it needs to have been registered in NI for 'a reasonable amount of time' to qualify for VAT and import duty exemption. If being re-registered in ROI using a mainland UK V5, then VAT and import duty will apply. VRT will apply in all cases.

 

[landmarkjohn]

I think the "reasonable amount of time" is taken from the registration document with the NI address.

@neiljitsu If you do import report back and let us know how you got on TIA. I am making the assumption that you want to import from NI to ROI.

 

[neiljitsu]

To clarify, importing to ROI. From what I can gather if the bike has been registered to an address in NI for a period exceeding 3 months I won't have to pay vat and import taxes, just vrt.

I think I'm sorted now. Thanks for the comments, I'll report back after the process.

 

[Colm Cummins]

Hi All,

I'm looking to import a bike from the North that is on a UK plate.
Has anybody done it yet? What is the process, and what proof of entry into N.I. from the UK required?

Thanks in advance,

Neil.

From a recent post on Facebook,
There is a recurring question about importing bikes from the UK and Northern Ireland.
Since I have imported a good few bikes in the past few years, here is the list of basics.
When do you pay VRT only, and when do you pay customs, VAT + VRT?
1. If the bike is less than 6 months old vat, customs, vrt the whole list to be paid
2. If the bike has less than 6000km or 6000 miles, depending on how the clocks are set. Then customs + vat + vrt
3. If the bike was registered in GB only, and not NI. Then customs + vat + vrt
4. If the bike was registered in NI only and is more than 6 months old and has more than 6000 km or miles - VRT only
5. If the bike was registered in GB and subsequently registered in NI for MORE than 3 Months and is older than 6 months and has more than 6000 km / miles - VRT only
VRT process:
1. You need the full and complete V5C document for the bike
2. Draft a bill of sale. Can be hand written. Name of seller, buyer, reg no and vin no. Date of sale, price plus signatures of both parties.
3. If the bike is GB only, you will need to hire an agent with customs declaration etc etc. Also you will need the ferry ticket or transport document. NOT REQUIRED FOR NI BIKES!
4. Download and print out the VRTVPD2 document and fill it out. (Simple Google search)
5. Since governments always change process and policies follow the latest for document requirements. Usually 1 id (passport or driving license), 1 proof of address (bank statement within 3 months), proof of PPS (PPS card or payslip) is all you need . Plus the rest above.
Link for the current list
https://www.vrt.ie/faq/vrt-checklist-documents/
6. Book your VRT and bring the bike. Pay for the charges, get you license plate number and get one made. (Smaller the better

).
7. Go and ride!

 

[neiljitsu]

From a recent post on Facebook,
There is a recurring question about importing bikes from the UK and Northern Ireland.
Since I have imported a good few bikes in the past few years, here is the list of basics.
When do you pay VRT only, and when do you pay customs, VAT + VRT?
1. If the bike is less than 6 months old vat, customs, vrt the whole list to be paid
2. If the bike has less than 6000km or 6000 miles, depending on how the clocks are set. Then customs + vat + vrt
3. If the bike was registered in GB only, and not NI. Then customs + vat + vrt
4. If the bike was registered in NI only and is more than 6 months old and has more than 6000 km or miles - VRT only
5. If the bike was registered in GB and subsequently registered in NI for MORE than 3 Months and is older than 6 months and has more than 6000 km / miles - VRT only
VRT process:
1. You need the full and complete V5C document for the bike
2. Draft a bill of sale. Can be hand written. Name of seller, buyer, reg no and vin no. Date of sale, price plus signatures of both parties.
3. If the bike is GB only, you will need to hire an agent with customs declaration etc etc. Also you will need the ferry ticket or transport document. NOT REQUIRED FOR NI BIKES!
4. Download and print out the VRTVPD2 document and fill it out. (Simple Google search)
5. Since governments always change process and policies follow the latest for document requirements. Usually 1 id (passport or driving license), 1 proof of address (bank statement within 3 months), proof of PPS (PPS card or payslip) is all you need . Plus the rest above.
Link for the current list
https://www.vrt.ie/faq/vrt-checklist-documents/
6. Book your VRT and bring the bike. Pay for the charges, get you license plate number and get one made. (Smaller the better

).
7. Go and ride!

So, if a bike on a UK plate is registered to a NI address for 3 or more months it is just a case of paying vrt without the vat.
So in essence a bike on a UK plate that has been in the north for the specified period is treated as a NI bike and is vrt only. This is a recent change.

 

[Mad Paddy]

I would check that out
I was told the vehicle has to be registered in NI from day 1 to avoid paying VAT

 

[mgpaulie]

I believe that the VAT element on vehicles over 6 months old and more than 6000km only came about as a result of Brexit. Only vehicles registered in NI before November 2021 would avoid the VAT when being exported to ROI.
This then meant that after Nov 2021 VAT was due on any vehicle going from GB to ROI.
Sometime last year the rule on NI registered vehicles was then changed to the 'reasonable time' / 3 months thing last year.
Check the revenue website.

 

[neiljitsu]

I believe that the VAT element on vehicles over 6 months old and more than 6000km only came about as a result of Brexit. Only vehicles registered in NI before November 2021 would avoid the VAT when being exported to ROI.
This then meant that after Nov 2021 VAT was due on any vehicle going from GB to ROI.
Sometime last year the rule on NI registered vehicles was then changed to the 'reasonable time' / 3 months thing last year.
Check the revenue website.

It has to change, the price of bikes here have gone crazy! Charles Hurst had a 20 s1000xr for sale for 9999stg last week, so say 12k euro. A similar bike in a dealer here is 18k, a 6k difference.

 

[Hatcho]

One other thing to note is that the bike has to have been privately registered in NI. If the bike was registered to a dealer and it was bought by the prospective importer after 3+ months, it will not be vat/customs exempt.

 

[p.joe]

Has anyone gone to Europe recently for a bike, is there value to be had.

The price of some bikes here is actually making peoplec check the sums on UK purchase again....

 

[neiljitsu]

Has anyone gone to Europe recently for a bike, is there value to be had.

The price of some bikes here is actually making peoplec check the sums on UK purchase again....

Europe pricing is cheaper then here, but the bikes tend to have much higher mileage.

 

[neiljitsu]

Right, in answer to my own question. It is possible to import it once it has been registered in an individuals name for over 90 days. The one I bought was up there for 2 years so it was no issue. Vrt was also very straightforward and took 15mins
It may prove more difficult if it was in dealer stock for the same time.
Unfortunately for me, my mate decided he was selling his camper van I've been chasing 2 days after I bought it. So my lovely gsa 1250 is up on done deal for very reasonable money.
Goodnight tossers.

 

[neiljitsu]

If anybody is importing from the UK these are the calculations they use.

Revenue will use their own rate of exchange for sterling the month you are buying amd get your euro base cost. Duty will be 6% of that ,then take the duty cost add it back to base and multiply by 23%

So for ease
10k euros x 6% =600
10600 x 23% =2438
So exposure is €3038 + custom agent for clearance.

 

[Robbi]

If anybody is importing from the UK these are the calculations they use.

Revenue will use their own rate of exchange for sterling the month you are buying amd get your euro base cost. Duty will be 6% of that ,then take the duty cost add it back to base and multiply by 23%

So for ease
10k euros x 6% =600
10600 x 23% =2438
So exposure is €3038 + custom agent for clearance.

That's a lot of money.

 

[neiljitsu]

That's a lot of money.

It's a disgrace. The north is just vrt, UK is all the above plus vrt