Purchasing in Europe?

[Hotfoot73]

Hi everyone.
I'm considering purchasing a uses (2014-2019) van in Europe. I know in the past there were savings to be had. Is that still the case?



If so can anyone recommend any friendly dealers over there that know their way around exporting to the UK? We're happy to travel to Belgium, France Germany, wherever the savings are best.

I live in the UK but am lucky enough to also hold an Irish passport also which may make things easier re Brexit/tax etc.

We're have a couple of different layouts that would work for us in either a Rapido, Dethleffs, Adria, Knaus, Laika or Burstner.

Anyone with first hand recent experience (past 12 months) would be great.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Speve]

We used Dürrwang-Mörlein in Dortmund twice they were very good and had loads of vans last time we were there in 2018

 

[Speve]

I believe Campirama in Belgium are very good.

 

[orridge]

When looking at the savings you now need to add 20% VAT for used Vehicle imports post Brexit.

 

[Soycd]

I'm afraid the last time I imported was December 2018. Free movement of goods between UK/EU is sadly, a thing of the past. You might get a good deal if you buy new, but as the post above says on second-hand vehicles you will now pay 20% VAT. There might be be a bit of wiggle room with the ToR (transfer of residence) scheme whereby you import to Ireland first then convince HMRC that you are moving to the UK with the vehicle, but that may be stretching it a bit. I've imported quite a few LHD motorhomes in the past and each time it has been slightly more complicated. I did look at doing it again with a new vehicle but the saving versus exchange rates, hassle etc. made me reconsider. In the end I've ordered a new RHD in UK.

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[Lenny HB]

We have always imported and it's always been new vans, we have a new van on order with a UK dealer as savings were negligible in the current climate, although we have still ordered LHD.

With the 20% VAT on imported second hand vans now only makes sense if you buy via a dealer who will supply VAT free. German dealers normally charge VAT on the full price of the vehicle, Brit dealers only charge VAT on the margin that is optional under VAT rules but only the UK appears to do it, maybe local laws coming into play.

 

[Motörhead Fun]

Does anyone have any experience of paying VAT in Germany, paying on import to UK, and then claiming money back from Germany? I have imported our last 3 vans but it was before we decided to leave the Single Market and Customs Union.

 

[Lenny HB]

Does anyone have any experience of paying VAT in Germany, paying on import to UK, and then claiming money back from Germany? I have imported our last 3 vans but it was before we decided to leave the Single Market and Customs Union.

Have a look here, looks like you can only do it if you are VAT registered.

Refunds of UK VAT for non-UK businesses (VAT Notice 723A)

How to claim a VAT refund in the UK if you're established outside the UK.

www.gov.uk

 

[Insider]

I'm afraid the last time I imported was December 2018. Free movement of goods between UK/EU is sadly, a thing of the past. You might get a good deal if you buy new, but as the post above says on second-hand vehicles you will now pay 20% VAT. There might be be a bit of wiggle room with the ToR (transfer of residence) scheme whereby you import to Ireland first then convince HMRC that you are moving to the UK with the vehicle, but that may be stretching it a bit. I've imported quite a few LHD motorhomes in the past and each time it has been slightly more complicated. I did look at doing it again with a new vehicle but the saving versus exchange rates, hassle etc. made me reconsider. In the end I've ordered a new RHD in UK.

Importing to Ireland from Europe requires 13.3% of OMSP(open market selling price) to be paid within one month of arriving into the state. Irish revenue make up the OSMP - literally make it up in most cases. Doubt if would be a route getting it into the UK given that unfortunately. Don't even start me on how much we have to pay if we import from the UK now

 

[Soycd]

With the 20% VAT on imported second hand vans now only makes sense if you buy via a dealer who will supply VAT free.

As Lenny said you may be able to get a dealer to sell without VAT (MWST in Germany) If you look on Mobile.de some motorhomes/vans are advertised with tax and the net price underneath in smaller print. These can be ones that are ex-hire vehicles or used by a business, thus no tax payable if you are entitled to buy tax free.

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[Motörhead Fun]

Importing to Ireland from Europe requires 13.3% of OMSP(open market selling price) to be paid within one month of arriving into the state. Irish revenue make up the OSMP - literally make it up in most cases. Doubt if would be a route getting it into the UK given that unfortunately. Don't even start me on how much we have to pay if we import from the UK now

If importing to Great Britain, is it feasible to import from Germany to NI and register there given that NI is still in the Single Market. Once paperwork is done, it could be moved to GB with just a notification to the DVLA. I have absolutely no idea how feasible this is just thinking aloud.

 

[Rob Turner]

Does anyone have any experience of paying VAT in Germany, paying on import to UK, and then claiming money back from Germany? I have imported our last 3 vans but it was before we decided to leave the Single Market and Customs Union.

We did it this year and pre Brexit.
Not a lot of difference.

 

[Soycd]

We did it this year and pre Brexit.
Not a lot of difference.

Was that a new motorhome or second hand?

 

[Rob Turner]

Was that a new motorhome or second hand?

New, both times.

 

[Soycd]

New, both times.

Ok, thanks. The OP wants to buy second-hand so would be hit with 20% VAT on top of whatever the price of the vehicle. I’d be thinking buy new or if second hand buy one that can legitimately bought without tax.

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[MisterB]

Or is there any reason why a second hand one with a bill of sale from the previous owner ..... Nudge, nudge ... helps to reduce the tax burden on import ...

 

[Lenny HB]

Or is there any reason why a second hand one with a bill of sale from the previous owner ..... Nudge, nudge ... helps to reduce the tax burden on import ...

No, VAT became payable on all imports as we are no longer in the EU.

 

[Oldrat]

Or is there any reason why a second hand one with a bill of sale from the previous owner ..... Nudge, nudge ... helps to reduce the tax burden on import ...

A less obvious downside of down playing the purchase price is that your insurer wants to know what you paid for the vehicle and that forms the basis of any future payout they might make.

 

[MisterB]

No, VAT became payable on all imports as we are no longer in the EU.

I think you may not have read between the lines ...... I assume the import price is determined by the price you can show that you purchased the vehicle for ...

Oldrat makes a valid point though, so I assume there would need to be some sort of consideration or even a second sale ..... Everything must be within or being able to demonstrate that it is within the law though ...