All the information listed below can be found on the Citizens information website so this is just a summary. For more detail you would need to go to the link which is a mine of information and if you follow it step by step you will be fine.
Importing a vehicle into Ireland can be admin intensive and the decision to do so should not be taken lightly. Do your homework and make sure that it is the right decision for you and your situation. You will find many people advising against it and a few who have taken the step to do so.
Look at the following within your personal situation and then decide.
- You will pay ANNUAL Motor Tax on your vehicle which is calculated on the vehicle emissions and the engine size. The bigger the vehicle and the greater the emissions the higher your yearly bill. This can range from a few hundred Euro to thousands per year
- National Car Test requirements: The older your vehicle the more regularly you have to put it through a National Car Test (NCT).
- If your car is 4 years or older, it must take a test. How regularly you repeat the test depends on the age of your car.
- The test must be repeated:
- Every 2 years, if your car is over 4 years and less than ten years old
- Every year, if your car is over 10 years, but less than 30 years old
- Every 2 years, if your car is between 30 and 39 years old and you are not using it for commercial purposes
- The test must be repeated:
- If your car is 4 years or older, it must take a test. How regularly you repeat the test depends on the age of your car.
- The test costs €55 and a retest will cost an additional €28 should you fail it the first time.
- Insurance is a requirement for driving in Ireland. Insurance on the car and the actual driver needs to be assessed by an Insurer based on statistics provided and the underwriter. It has been the experience of the majority coming in to Ireland that for the first year the insurance premiums are high due to you having no Irish driving history, some have been lucky the majority not. Add to that diminished driving history a faster or more powerful vehicle and your premium will sky rocket. Some cars are not insurable at all, you may want to contact an Irish insurer ahead of moving to confirm your car might be insurable.
- Vehicle servicing and repairs: Do they supply vehicles of the type you would like to import in Ireland as if not repairs and services will be challenging as will selling the vehicle at a later date. Whilst a car might be the sam ename and model, being made for the EU market or African market there can be differences in the parts and so sourcing parts for that car may differ.
- Roads in Ireland are small and narrow, parking spaces are small and indoor garage parking can be very tight. Be certain you want to drive a big car on these small roads.
- On a more personal note, in SA we are used to a society that is very driven at times on what type of car we drive. It has become the norm in some cases to upgrade your vehicle every 4 years if not earlier. In Ireland I have found that the emphasis is not on the material value of what we have but more on who we are as people. So whilst your Landrover was great to have in SA for safety and off road driving here it would become a liability to run, tax and park.
- Another consideration is the second hand value of imported cars tends to be lower than that of local cars. So when it comes time to sell or trade-in what will your car be worth and will this off-set the import costs and what you have to pay to get it on the Irish roads.
- **Insert from 2021... reports from Members of the Facebook page have now said that an Export licence is required for SA to have to car leave SA
- read more here https://www.ivid.co.za/south-africa/
But if you have done your homework and made the decision to bring your beloved Jam Jar then read on whilst I try to explain how it is done.
Whilst in South Africa:
We used a company called Red Tape to assist us with the official clearance of the vehicle to export out of SA. You still have to ensure that you give them the correct documentation to facilitate the move but they will help you if you are battling. http://www.red-tape.co.za/services.html
Whomever you use you will still need to complete and furnish them with the following:
- Download the TRANSFER OF RESIDENCE Application and Declaration for Exemption from Import Charges and Vehicle Registration Tax(Doc C and E 1076. Ref 1) off the below link from Irish revenue and complete.
- Data Dot certificate
- This is a unique code on each DataDot links your car to you the owner. If your car has this you need to get the certificate from the original dealer if you don't have it already.
- If you don't have a data dot on your car you will need to get it done, Red Tape can do that for you.
- Vehicle Clearance from the SA Police Service
- This essentially allows you to export the vehicle and confirms that everything is above board.
- More information on this link http://www.red-tape.co.za/exports.html
- Motor Vehicle registration papers
- These need to indicate that you are both the owner and the title holder.
- If your vehicle was financed you need to ensure that the reg papers have been updated with the financing company to reflect you as the owner. Your financing company must issue you a letter stating that the vehicle has been fully paid up and that you are now the owner and then you can update the registration papers appropriately.
- Vehicle clearance certificate
- Issued by a vehicle testing station in SA that shows the specs of the car and confirms it is road worthy.
Export permits are then obtained from ITAC in Pretoria.
http://www.red-tape.co.za/uploads/3/0/8/7/30873357/h9_export_permit_motor.pdf (.pdf will go into your device's downloads file)
At this point it is worth noting that should you be bringing your vehicle to Ireland make sure that you have sent it through a check in SA against the NCT specs. We were totally unaware that in replacing the headlights on our car the service provider in South Africa used the incorrect headlamps. When we brought the car to Ireland our car failed the NCT because the headlamps in our right hand drive car for driving on the left were pointed to the right. It suddenly became clear why we had had drivers flashing their brights at us when driving at night in SA. It wasn't the gangster's initiations we all hear about , we were inadvertently blinding them, ????!
HERE is a link to the manual
Transporting your car is done through a moving company and they will advise you based on the size of the car the container you need and costs involved. They will also work with an Irish based agent once your vehicle arrives in Ireland.
Whilst you are waiting for your car to arrive you will need to ensure that you have obtained your PPS number and proof of residence as this will allow you to register the vehicle, tax it etc.
Once the car arrives in Ireland:
Once your car is in Ireland the Irish agent will make the necessary application to the Irish revenue to obtain your Import Tax Exemption and Vehicle Registration Tax exemption. Once this has been granted you will be given a VRT clearance certificate.
You then have 7 days to get your car registered at the NCT offices.
To do this you will need to go to the NCT offices with the following
- VRT certificate
- Original purchase contract of the vehicle showing date of purchase, value of the vehicle and tax paid on the purchase.
- PPSN, Proof of residence i.e. utility bills and bank statements
At this point you will be able to register the vehicle and will receive your number plates. The plates are specified as follows
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_the_Republic_of_Ireland
Now that you have your plates and reg number the next step is to get your insurance sorted out.
Be prepared to phone around, have your no-claims bonus from SA and driver's license handy.
An full Irish driver's license will be helpful to reduce the rate if you can get it organised. It also helps to reduce the rate if there are 2 drivers listed on the insurance. Below is a link to information available on the SAFFAS website on motor insurance:
Only once you have insured the vehicle can you then pay your Motor tax.
Finally with motor tax and insurance displayed on your vehicle, you are now able to book your vehicle for an NCT. The test costs €55 and a repeat test will cost you €28.
Once you have an appointment for the NCT you will be able to drive your car on the Irish roads but keep evidence of your booking with you at all times. You need to complete the entire process within 30 days of the vehicle arriving in Ireland. That said if there are some speed bumps on the way whilst you are going through this process you are given some leeway but you must be actively registering your vehicle and not just ignoring the issue whatever it may be.
At the end of all that you are good to go, may you and your beloved vehicle have many happy miles in the Emerald Isle!
The Above was from a kind member who imported their car to Ireland
several years before this update came into effect:
https://www.ivid.co.za/south-africa/
Process of export of new or used vehicles from RSA
- A vehicle sold to any organization/ person on foreign soil must include VAT at the standard rate of 14%. A foreign importer can reclaim the VAT with the necessary documentation at a border crossing at the SARS offices on exit from RSA.
- Anyone exporting a vehicle must register as an exporter with customs and excise.
- Any transporter/ carrier moving a vehicle must register as an In Bond Transporter with customs and excise.
- Anyone exporting a vehicle In Bond must register as a Remover of Goods In Bond with customs and excise.
- A vehicle removed in bond to any other country within the common customs union, may only be removed to a customs and excise warehouse in that country.
- Export documents and the vehicle must be presented at the local customs and excise offices before proceeding to the border post to exit.
- Any vehicle that enters a Southern African port must be inspected and the vehicle data entered by a Customs and Excise officer or SAPS officer onto the VIT (Vehicle in Transit) database managed and controlled by IVID on the TransunionAuto mainframe system.
Requirements for vehicle export from RSA
The following list of documents is necessary to export a vehicle by a dealer/ private individual for new and used vehicle registered on eNaTIS :
- 1- IE 91 – Application for export permit from ITAC.
- 2- Export permit.– From ITAC.
- 3- DA 550 – Bill of entry/ exit from customs and excise.
- 4- F178 – Request for bank clearance from buyers bank for value of vehicle over R 50 000.
- 5- CNV – Change of Notice in respect of motor vehicle from local vehicle registration office on eNaTIS system.
- 6- RPC – Request for police clearance certificate for export purposes from local vehicle clearance offices.
- 7- SARPCCO – From local police in country of export.
- 8- SAPS 263 – Police clearance certificate from clearance office in country of export.
- 9- SAD 500 – Customs clearance certificate from customs and excise in country of export.
- 10- IRCC – Industrial rebate credit certificate from the Dti.
The following steps from the above list are necessary for Registered manufacturers exporting new vehicles registered on the RSA eNaTIS system to or in transit through RSA:
Steps 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11
The following steps from the above list are necessary for Registered manufacturers exporting new vehicle not registered on the RSA eNaTIS system to or in transit through RSA:
Steps 3, 4, 10 and 11
Additional documentation required for exporting vehicles In Bond through RSA
- 12- DA185
- 13- CRW/ Temporary permi – Certificate of roadworthiness. This practice has now been cancelled and NO vehicle may travel on a South African road under its own power. All vehicles new and used must be moved on the back of a mass transport vehicle carrier.
- 14- Proof of Sale/ purchase
Export process to be followed for vehicles
- Settle any outstanding debts over such vehicles and receive proof of settlement documentation from the finance house concerned.
- Anyone exporting vehicles for commercial sale must register as an exporter (Local Customs & Excise office) in terms of the Customs Act. An export permit from the International Trade Administration commission (ITAC) is required for all used vehicles except if they are imported via Customs & Excise Bonded warehouses or brought from a vehicle manufacturer. A private individual exporting their own car abroad does not need to register as an exporter.
- Obtain ownership & title papers from the registration authorities stating that the person exporting the item is the valid owner and titleholder of the vehicle. This is obtained from the local eNaTIS registration authority if a South African vehicle.
- Obtain a de-registration certificate from the eNaTIS register of South Africa stating that there are no outstanding road ordinance fees etc.
- A police clearance certificate confirming that the vehicle is not stolen, from the local licensing offices as supplied by the SAPS.
- Any vehicle sold to any organization/ person on foreign soil must include the standard VAT rate of 14% payable to SARS with a receipt as proof.
Exporting new or used vehicles from dealers or private individuals: Requires:
- For used vehicles only, An Export permit (from ITAC), application for which is made on form IE91 obtained from ITAC.
- Form DA 550(Bill of Entry from customs and Excise)
- Form f178 (request for Bank clearance obtained from the buyers bank), if value exceeds R 50 000-.
- Forms CNV (change of particulars of/ Notice in respect of Motor vehicle) and RPC (Request for police clearance for export purposes completed by the SAPS) obtained from your local vehicle registering authority and must be handed back to your local vehicle registering authority.
- Vehicles exported to BLNS and “Prescribed Territories” require form SARPCCO vehicle clearance completed by the local SAPS, and vehicles exported to other countries form SAPS263 vehicle clearance certificate completed by the SAPS.
- Export documents must be processed at either your local Customs office or at the border post.
- Vehicles exported in transit through the BLNS countries also require form SAD 500 (From your local customs offices). Vin/ Chassis number on the form must match that on the vehicle in question.
Important links:
#MapMyMove- Our coaching Services - Confused or lost and need some direction, book a session with us to help untangle the confusion and work out your route of immigration
Exchanging your SA licence, Motor Tax, NCT, Car seats, Learner's licence, British licences, Licence categories, Penalty points, Road Rules, and Car Insurance - A more thorough explanation of what you need to exchange your South African Licence for an Irish one and letter of entitlement, and legal requirements such as Motor Tax, NCT, Car Seats, Learner's Licence, British Licences, Licence categories, Penalty points, Road rules and Car Insurance
PSRI, USC, Tax, Pensions and Customs and Revenue
Resources for this topic- Customs and Imports - Some links to customs and imports related topics
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