How to Import a Car from the UK to Ireland (2026 Complete Guide)
Import UK cars to Ireland with the experts in UK car import.
Importing a car from the UK to Ireland is one of the smartest financial decisions an Irish buyer can make and one of the most misunderstood. Done right, it gives you access to a far wider choice of vehicles at prices the Irish market can’t match, with the opportunity to save 20% VAT on your purchase. Done wrong, or with the wrong company, it can cost you far more than expected. This guide walks you through exactly how it works in 2026: the process, the costs, and what to watch out for.
How the Import Process Works: Step by Step
Step 1: Define your brief (make, model, spec, budget)
Step 2: The car is sourced in the UK via MHH’s trade access
Step 3: VAT is reclaimed at the point of export (the 20% saving)
Step 4: The car is shipped from the UK to Ireland (3–7 days)
Step 5: Customs clearance on arrival
Step 6: VRT assessed and paid (30-day window)
Step 7: Registration, motor tax, NCT
Get a full cost breakdown with our free import calculator
How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car from the UK to Ireland?
The single biggest saving available to any Irish buyer is the 20% UK VAT reclaim.
On a €60,000 car, that is €12,000 back in your pocket, a saving you cannot access by buying privately or through a standard dealer.
Cost breakdown:
- VAT reclaim (saving)
- Shipping (cost, est. range)
- 10% import duty (when applicable)
- 23% Irish VAT
- VRT (link to calculator)
- Use this VRT calculator for a free estimate
- Use this paid VRT calculator for better accuracy
- MHH service fee
VAT Qualifying Cars: How to Avoid Paying Tax Twice
If you buy a UK car that is not VAT-qualifying, you will have inadvertently paid the 20% UK VAT on your purchase price. Vehicles which have been privately owned in the UK become “non-VAT qualifying”. This means the cars automatically incur 20% in their purchase price, and this cannot be reversed. If you buy a VAT-qualifying vehicle, this means it has been owned by a business or leasing company (never privately owned). This vehicle is eligible to have the 20% UK VAT reclaimed when you export it to Ireland, provided the seller is willing to sell the car VAT-free. Buying these vehicles net of UK VAT means you only need to pay for the VAT in Ireland.
Why Most UK Dealers Won’t Help – And What to Do Instead.
Unfortunately, VAT-qualifying cars in the UK are thin on the ground. They are in demand because they offer such a saving to buyers overseas. But if you have tried to buy a car new VAT-free from a UK dealer, you most likely will have been refused. This is because almost all UK dealers are not interested in completing the administrative work required to reclaim VAT from HMRC. They’re not set up to do VAT reclaim and don’t want the hassle. So what can you do?
This is why specialist exporters like MHH International exist. We have established relationships with dealers, fleet companies, and leasing firms across the UK, giving our clients access to a pool of VAT-qualifying cars that simply isn’t available on the open market.
New second-hand motor vehicle payment scheme for UK car exports to Ireland.
In short, since May 2023, it is possible to import any UK car to Ireland without paying UK VAT, even if it is not traditionally VAT-qualifying, provided the import is handled correctly. This is one of the most significant changes for Irish buyers since Brexit.
Import Duty: When the 10% Applies (and When It Doesn’t)
Since Brexit, 10% import duty has become payable on some UK car imports. This duty is the first tax to be applied. 23% VAT is then calculated on the car price plus the 10% import duty. So effectively, you don’t just pay 10%. You pay 10% plus the 23% of 10%. The VRT is then applied as the final tax.
- 10% duty applies when the car is not of UK or EU origin,
- BMW X5, X6, X7 and Mercedes GLE, GLS are built in the USA; duty applies to these,
- UK-made cars and EU-origin cars returned within 3 years may be exempt,
- MHH checks this for every car before purchase, so our buyers never have a surprise.
MHH checks the country of manufacture for every vehicle before purchase, so you always know the full cost before you commit.
UK car import pricing to Ireland: worked examples.
The example below shows the range of prices you might pay for a car priced at £40,000 in the UK. The three rows show the duty-cleared price (incl. Irish VAT) depending on the exemptions the car has qualified for. The first example includes the import price, UK VAT, VAT in Ireland, and the 10% import duty payable. But the same priced car can be imported for £13.7K less under the right conditions.
| UK car import scenario | Total import price to Ireland * |
| Importing now without any exemptions & both VAT payment and duty. | £57,645 |
| UK VAT saving with NO UK preferential origin / Returning goods Relief | £48,264 |
| UK VAT saving with UK preferential origin / Returning goods Relief | £43,876 |
Registering Your Car in Ireland: What Happens After Arrival
Once your car arrives in Ireland, you have 30 days to register it and pay VRT. Here’s what the process looks like. Begin by registering the vehicle with the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) and obtaining an Irish registration number. This registration number must be displayed on the vehicle at all times.
Once your vehicle passes the test, you will receive a National Car Test (NCT) certificate. This certificate is a crucial document that confirms your vehicle’s compliance with Irish regulations. By obtaining the right insurance and ensuring your vehicle passes the NCT, you can drive with confidence knowing that your vehicle is safe and legal on Irish roads.
Importing a car from the UK to Ireland is one of the best ways to get more car for your money — if you know what you’re doing. MHH International has helped over 7,000 clients across 37 countries do exactly that. We handle everything: sourcing, VAT reclaim, shipping, customs, and delivery to your door. If you’d like to know what’s available for your budget and spec, we’d be happy to talk it through. No commitment, no pressure.
