If you buy an expensive item (e.g. a caravan or a small boat) second hand from an individual in the UK, there is no VAT due in the UK. Bring it into Dublin Port and Customs will slap a large charge on ot (I think it is VAT amd can't remember if there are also Customs Charges but I think not) unless you can show that you are not importing it, e.g. you are returning from a trip to UK with caravan or boat, or you bought the item in France.Is it?
UK VAT rate is 20%
Irish VAT rate is 23%
Hard to see what exactly is being evaded.
If you're bringing it in from Great Britain via Belfast, the trader will have nothing to confirm that it is an export sale and should not be treating it as a zero-rate export in the first instance.If you buy an expensive item (e.g. a caravan or a small boat) second hand from an individual in the UK, there is no VAT due in the UK.
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I have heard that you could come in via Belfast instead.
To clarify. I wasn't talking about traders. If I buy a second hand boat from an individual who is selling their personal boat, the charges I described before will arise at Dublin port.If you're bringing it in from Great Britain via Belfast, the trader will have nothing to confirm that it is an export sale and should not be treating it as a zero-rate export in the first instance.
If you buy an expensive item (e.g. a caravan or a small boat) second hand from an individual in the UK, there is no VAT due in the UK. Bring it into Dublin Port and Customs will slap a large charge on ot (I think it is VAT amd can't remember if there are also Customs Charges but I think not) unless you can show that you are not importing it, e.g. you are returning from a trip to UK with caravan or boat, or you bought the item in France.
I have heard that you could come in via Belfast instead. But this would indeed be evasion.
I don’t follow.the trader will have nothing to confirm that it is an export sale and should not be treating it as a zero-rate export in the first instance.