Cyprus-Forum.com

[kb]

I am after some information on buying a new car in Cyprus to export to the uk where i live.
A few years ago, I worked alongside a Cypriut out in the Middle East.
He said he used to buy new cars in Cyprus-duty free-and export them to the Uk.
I've looked on a few car websites, and the duty free prices of new cars is very appealing, but what i am looking for is information on how to buy the car, duty free in Cyprus and get it to the UK-Legally!- without paying any import duty or VAT etc.
Can anybody enlighten me or give me any advice.
I have looked at the British Customs and Excise site, but its quite vague.
I'm sure there must be some loopholes in the system.
HELP?!! Thanks kb

[blondophile]

Welcome in europe ,its simple !

if the car is new you pay the VAT,
if the used car is more than 6 month and 6 000km, you can avoid the vat.

And used car in cyprus are not so good ! but you can buy a duty free used car, but are you sure with the container price, you will do a good profits, i m not sure, i think just forget it !!

[kb]

ok blondophile, this information i already know from Uk Customs.
So. If i was to keep the car in Cyprus for 6 months and run up 6000km on the clock, i can avoid paying any VAT when taking back to the UK.
Problem is, if I do this, do I incur any costs inside Cyprus?
The container price is buttons..if you know what i mean.

[cyprusgrump]

You can only buy a duty free car if you have retired in Cyprus.

Believe me, the paperwork is a complete nightmare!

If it really were that simple we’d all be buying duty free cars here and shipping back to the UK!

[blondophile]

ok blondophile, this information i already know from Uk Customs.
So. If i was to keep the car in Cyprus for 6 months and run up 6000km on the clock, i can avoid paying any VAT when taking back to the UK.
Problem is, if I do this, do I incur any costs inside Cyprus?
The container price is buttons..if you know what i mean.

No you cant !!! you must buy a car who is more than 6month and ...

I hope you knew that but, what i want say is you dont have any other solution !

My friend bought a car 5 years ago in duty free, and i remember the paper was a nightmare, but he paid and they did it for him. I like cyprus.

I did import in France from germany, its not cyprus and uk but its europe.
And with all the paper you have to give, you will never be registred in uk if you dont respect the rules !

its not so easy !

[kb]

ok. both replies tell me different things. you both agree that the paperwork is a nightmare, but that can be sorted.
Is there ANYBODY out there who actually knows how to get around the red tape?
Thanks for your replies anyway

[Svetlana]

Whatever way you do it, if you export a car from Cyprus to the UK, you will pay Duty and VAT.

Lana

[kb]

Do you work for customs Svetlana?

[Svetlana]

Hi KB

No, but have bought 7 cars since living here and have assisited 'EU' friends with their purchase of Duty Free cars both before and since CY joined the EU.

If you export a car on which Duty has not been paid, to the UK, you will have to pay Duty/VAT on its importation.

If you do qualify to buy a DF car here (have residential status and property rental/purchase contract etc etc) you will have to pay Duty and VAT when you dispose of it.

Lana

[TheCabbie]

A few years ago (before Cyprus joined the EU) I was involved in buying Double Cabin pick-ups and sending them back to the UK, it was straightforward then, as long as you had used the car in Cyprus (driving it to the docks) you could import it into the UK as a used vehicle, there was good money being made in those days

I don't think it's as viable now but I'm intrigued as to which car(s) you think you can make money out of? I don't know of any car thet's cheaper in Cyprus...