Importing car

[rivierliedje]

I have just moved to Ireland from the UK, driving my car across on the ferry. Everywhere (AA, citizens information etc) it says to book a VRT registration of an imported car at an NCT centre within 7 days of arriving. It also says if you have been using the car abroad for more than 6 months and have paid VAT on it in an EU country that you will be exempt from paying VAT and VRT.
So I have made an appointment for the NCT centre; and was sent an email detailing all the forms I need to bring. Including one from the revenue giving me the VRT/VAT exemption. Desperately searched the revenue site for some info and found a list of phone numbers to call, but it says it will take 10 days to get this paperwork going and I can't move my NCT appointment without being fined. When I called the number today (no answer over the bank holiday weekend) it is just a recording saying if you are calling about the VRt exemption thing to look on the website where I can't find anything except to ring this number. I left a message on the phone number anyway on the off chance, but anybody any idea how I do this? Should I try ringing the number for one of the neighbouring counties on the off chance they are more helpful?

I have no direct experience but two things strike me, firstly that the Irish don't do things quite like the British in the sense that bureaucracy is a bit more relaxed and not quite as 'by the book'. Secondly, Revenue are very helpful when you actually get them on the phone, so good idea to ring another county. It's August and just after the bank holiday, this is a major holiday time so everything slows down at this time of year.

If you can't talk to someone, then send off your forms, take photos to show you've sent them and go along to your NCT appointment with the photos and proof of postage and explain. It can't be the first time this has happened, and I'm sure they'll be fine with it, you might have to go back with your documents but I doubt very much it will be more than that.

And let me be the first to say 'Ah sure, it'll be grand' 😊

Thanks threadneedle, that is exactly what the revenue lady said on the phone (left a message and got a call back). She didn't even mention taking pictures. Sometimes a bit of relaxedness around rules can be very helpful.
Thanks

So pleased to hear that, hopefully all your dealings with bureaucracy will be as easy!

Hope you're settling in well, you came at a good time of year (we won't mention today's downpour 😂)

Let me know if there's anything else I can help with 😊

The storms and the downpour have been quite something! So has the heat.
Thanks for your help

I assume you are finished with all this business now but I’m moving in two weeks and need to sort this out for myself!

What did you do in the end?