To all Classic Car owners & Clubs:

Brexit has truly kicked us where it hurts in Ireland on Classic Car importation, it's time to kick back !!

The 10% duty imposed on cars over 30 years old imported from the UK into Ireland from January 1st 2021, has been waived. That's the only good news story here.

However, the VAT, imposed from Januay 1st, at 23%, still stands, and is applicable on all used cars imported from the UK, whether it be a Classic Car, or a modern day car. It's illegal !! You cannot pay VAT twice on any goods.

Based on a recent customers effort to import a 1988 car, the VAT 'HAD' to be paid, before the owner could VRT the car, thats the other illegal tax well know about, but we have learned to just put up with it. 

In this real example: The car was £3,200. Convert that to Euros. Add the cost of Transport to that, €450, to arrive at your Euro spend. Then pay VAT @ 23% on that amount. So the customer had to pay €938 VAT, plus €125 to the Customs agency, plus the VRT on Classics @ €200.

Had the car been purchased/imported pre January 1, 2021, VRT would have been €200. Post Jan 1st, Brexit, now €1,263.

My point is, and I hope you all agree and sign this petition, you cannot pay VAT twice on any product where VAT has already been paid when new. In this case, someone bought this car brand new in 1988 in the UK. So, VAT was paid in the sale price in 1988. When the UK was in Europe. Europe has already has had the VAT on the car. So, why should VAT be paid a second time, on a used product ?? This is 100% wrong, and HAS to be strongly opposed, and stopped immediately!

I feel the same for post Classic cars, i.e modern day cars, VAT has already been paid when new, so again, why pay VAT a second time ??

It is wrong, it is illegal. Help yourself, help the Classic Car community, send this to your local Co. Councillors, newspapers, Radio Stations, Senators and TD's.

Please sign this petition, and share share share on any social media platform you can.

Thanks for reading.