Importing a car from the UK to Northern Ireland can be a complex process. It involves understanding regulations, handling paperwork, and navigating post-Brexit changes.

This guide aims to simplify this task. It provides a step-by-step overview, highlights the impact of Brexit, and outlines the necessary documentation.

Whether you're an individual or a business, this information will help you navigate the import process. Stay informed and avoid potential pitfalls with this comprehensive guide.

Understanding the Post-Brexit Scenario

There are some new regulations for importing vehicles from the UK to Northern Ireland after Brexit. The Northern Ireland Protocol plays a significant role in these changes, affecting cross-border trade.

Despite the UK's departure from the EU, Northern Ireland continues to align with some EU regulations. This alignment ensures smoother goods movement, yet introduces complexities for vehicle imports.

Importers must familiarize themselves with current rules and guidelines. Staying updated is crucial, as regulations may continue to evolve in the coming years.

How to import a car from UK to Northern Ireland

Although they are geographically separate, there is some freedom of movement between the UK and Northern Ireland.

You can drive your vehicle freely in both, as long as you meet these conditions:

• Your car must be registered in the UK or Northern Ireland.
• The use of your vehicle must be for private, non-commercial use.

Your vehicle must comply with mandatory road and safety regulations with a Certificate of Conformity (COC).

You will need a COC if:

• You do not have the original document
• You want to register your vehicle in another country
• You wish to register your vehicle and drive it in the UK
• You are required to provide specific details of your vehicle that do not appear on the V5 vehicle registration document.

Moving the vehicle yourself

If you are moving your vehicle yourself, the port authorities will require you to make a declaration by conduct.

If you are travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, you do not need to declare any goods if you are:

• You are resident in the UK
• If you have already paid your tax, VAT and excise duty on goods (alcohol and tobacco) in Great Britain.

When moving goods from one island to another, they may also require a goods movement reference (GMR). 

You don’t need a goods movement reference if:

• If you move goods yourself for personal use.
• If you are moving commercial goods yourself in your luggage (in or out of Great Britain).

If another person moves the vehicle for you

If someone else is moving the car on your behalf, whether it is a removal company or a private individual, they will need to register for the goods vehicle movement system.

You will also need to make two types of declarations: 

• One to ensure that it is you who has been assigned to move the vehicle (the Trader Support Service will guide you through this process).
• And another to ensure that what you are transporting complies with the regulations. On the official UK website you can see if you need to make this declaration.

We hope this guide will help you to make the process of moving your vehicle easier. 

Do not hesitate to consult the official sources for more information.

Helpful resources:

Trading and moving goods in and out of Northern Ireland - UK Government 

Bringing goods into the UK for personal use - UK Government 

Create a goods movement reference - UK Government 

How to get an EORI number - UK Government 

The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland explained - European Council