UK dealers rarely sell VAT-free to private buyers in Ireland. We buy the vehicle for you, handle the UK VAT, export and customs, and pass the saving on to you.
At VehicleImporters.ie, we specialise in sourcing VAT qualifying vehicles from the UK market, allowing businesses and eligible buyers to purchase vehicles without paying UK VAT.
With the UK having one of the largest used vehicle markets in Europe, there are thousands of VAT qualifying cars, vans and SUVs available at any time, often at significantly lower prices than the Irish market.
But in most cases it’s not possible for an individual to buy directly from a garage in the United Kingdom at zero UK VAT. You’ll need VehicleImporters.ie to handle the UK VAT on your behalf and pass the savings on to you.
VehicleImporters.ie handles the entire process of sourcing, purchasing, exporting and importing VAT qualifying vehicles from the UK to Ireland.
A VAT qualifying car is a vehicle where the VAT element of the purchase price can be reclaimed or removed when sold to a VAT registered business or when the vehicle is exported.
Put simply, “VAT qualifying” means the VAT is shown separately from the price rather than built into it.
These vehicles are typically advertised in the UK as:
When exported from the UK to Ireland, the UK VAT (20%) can be removed from the purchase price, creating substantial savings.
When importing a VAT qualifying car from the UK to Ireland, the process normally works as follows:
The vehicle is purchased including/excluding UK VAT.
The vehicle is exported from the UK.
Irish VAT (23%) and customs charges are paid when importing the vehicle into Ireland.
If the buyer is VAT registered, the Irish VAT may be reclaimable (commercial vehicles).
For many businesses this means they can effectively purchase the vehicle without paying VAT, reducing the overall cost significantly.
Before currency exchange, VRT, or Irish market comparisons.
In many cases, importing a VAT qualifying car from the UK can save buyers thousands compared to buying in Ireland.
There are several advantages to importing a VAT qualifying vehicle from the UK:
The UK market offers far more vehicles than the Irish market, giving you a much wider choice of makes and models.
UK used car prices are often lower thanks to larger supply and fleet turnover, so the same car costs less.
Removing 20% UK VAT on a VAT qualifying vehicle can dramatically reduce the purchase price before it arrives in Ireland.
UK vehicles often come with higher trim levels and additional options, including high-spec models not always available in Ireland.
Importing a VAT qualifying vehicle requires correct VAT handling, customs procedures, and dealer relationships. VehicleImporters.ie provides a complete vehicle import service, including:
Our expertise ensures that the VAT treatment is handled correctly, preventing costly mistakes.
We’re part of the same group as VRT.ie, Ireland’s VRT calculator and registration service, and CustomsDeclaration.ie, which handles customs declarations for businesses and private individuals importing into Ireland.
We regularly source VAT qualifying vehicles including:
If you’re searching for a VAT qualifying BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Land Rover, or electric vehicle, and other brands, we can source the right vehicle from the UK market.
UK dealers usually advertise it with the price shown as “+VAT”, “VAT Qualifying” or “Price Excluding VAT”. If the advert shows one price with no VAT mentioned, it is usually not VAT qualifying. We confirm this with the seller before any vehicle is purchased.
It is at the UK dealer’s discretion to sell you the vehicle at zero VAT and in the majority dealerships no, it’s not possible for an individual to buy directly from a garage in the United Kingdom at zero UK VAT. VehicleImporters.ie handles the UK VAT on your behalf and passes the savings on to you.
Yes. You don’t pay the 20% UK VAT on a VAT qualifying vehicle bought for export, but Irish VAT (23%) and customs charges are paid when the vehicle is imported into Ireland, and VRT is paid when it is registered.
If the buyer is VAT registered, the Irish VAT may be reclaimable on commercial vehicles, so many businesses can effectively buy the vehicle without paying VAT. Your accountant can confirm what applies to your business.
It can be. Used vehicles previously owned by a VAT-registered business, such as fleet, lease or demonstrator vehicles, are often sold as VAT qualifying. A vehicle previously owned by a private individual usually isn’t.
If you’re looking to import a VAT qualifying car from the UK to Ireland, VehicleImporters.ie can help you find the right vehicle and manage the entire import process. Our team ensures the vehicle is purchased VAT free in the UK and imported correctly into Ireland, helping you maximise your savings.
Reviewed by Patrick Barry, Managing Director at VehicleImporters.ie · Last updated 10-2026.
VAT and customs information on this page is based on guidance from Revenue.ie and HMRC. Figures are examples only and every vehicle is quoted individually.
