The full cost of importing a car

Import cost questions

• What taxes do I pay when importing a car from Great Britain?−

  Three possible charges: customs duty (10% of the customs value on used cars since Brexit, unless the car is UK-built with proof of origin), VAT at 23% on the price plus transport plus customs, and VRT based on the car's Irish market value and emissions. Customs and VAT are handled at import; VRT is paid at the NCTS centre.

• Is Northern Ireland cheaper than Great Britain?+

  Usually yes. Cars properly imported into Northern Ireland (or first registered there) avoid the 10% customs duty, and used cars that spent reasonable time in private NI ownership avoid VAT too. That is why many Irish buyers shop in NI first - but insist on proof of the car's customs status.

• What does it cost to import a car from Japan?+

  VAT at 23% (on price + shipping + any duty) and VRT. The EU-Japan trade agreement phased out the EU's 10% duty on Japanese-built cars, so the duty can be 0% if you claim preferential origin in the customs declaration: with a statement on origin from the Japanese exporter, or on importer's knowledge backed by documents from the exporter or manufacturer (check the current rate on TARIC). Without the claim it is 10%. Sea freight runs roughly €800-2,000 by the size of the car, plus ¥70k-160k (€400-950) of Japan-side costs. The direct ship to Cork takes about 9 weeks at sea; the route via Zeebrugge takes 25-35 days to Belgium plus 2 days across to Dublin or Cork. Japanese cars often have low mileage and strong specs - check the VRT first, since the OMSP drives the biggest cost.

• Do I pay VAT on a used car from the EU?+

  No - as long as it is genuinely used: older than 6 months AND more than 6,000 km on the clock. 'New' cars by that definition are charged Irish VAT even if you paid VAT abroad (you can reclaim the foreign VAT).