UK to Ireland Car
Import Cost Calculator
Understanding the Costs: Duty, VAT & VRT Explained
Calculate costs for importing a car from the UK to Ireland. Includes car purchase, transport shipping, insurance, document checks, exchange rates, customs clearance, duty and VAT. Excludes VRT.
How much does it cost to import a car from the UK to Ireland?
The costs associated with importing a car to Ireland have changed since Brexit (Jan 2021). When your car arrives in Ireland, you are mostly required to pay:
- Customs Duty
- VAT
- VRT
- NOX Levy
The purpose of this car import cost calculator is to provide you with a comprehensive import price, which includes all costs incurred from the purchase of your car to the point where your car is cleared into Ireland.
To see the accurate cost of buying and importing your car, simply follow the instructions below.
Car Import Cost Calculator
Our calculator will price your car without the UK VAT and include all of the following:
- Transport and shipping costs,
- Insurance,
- MHH service fees,
- 10% import duty (where applicable)
- 23% VAT
- Clearing agent fees in Ireland.
Our calculator does not include VRT because several highly rated VRT calculators are available.
Please enter your car’s information in the calculator below.
NB: We strongly recommend that you do not assume a car’s origin, as cars can be manufactured in some surprising places. Any vehicles built outside the EU will incur a 10% import duty when entering Ireland, regardless of age.
The UK to Ireland Calculator
Understanding the Costs: Duty, VAT & VRT Explained
The calculator above gives you an estimate of the total cost to import a car from the UK to Ireland. This section explains each charge so you understand what you are paying, why, and how it is calculated.
What Is VRT?
VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) is charged by Revenue on every vehicle registered in Ireland for the first time. It is one of the highest costs in any Irish car import, and it is also the most commonly misunderstood.
The most important thing to understand about VRT is that it is not calculated on what you paid for the car. It is calculated based on the OMSP (the Open Market Selling Price), which is Revenue’s own assessment of the vehicle’s value in the Irish market. Revenue sets the OMSP independently, based on comparable Irish sales data. The same car, bought at different prices, will incur the same VRT liability.
How is VRT Calculated?
VRT = OMSP × applicable rate
The applicable rate is determined by the vehicle’s CO2 emissions. Ireland uses a banded system: lower-emission vehicles attract lower VRT rates; higher-emission vehicles attract higher rates. The full range runs from 0% to 41%.
| Emission Level | Typical Vehicle Type | VRT Rate |
| 0g/km CO2 | Battery electric vehicle (BEV) | 0% |
| Very low CO2 | Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | Low band |
| Low to moderate CO2 | Efficient petrol or diesel | Mid band |
| High CO2 | Large petrol/diesel SUV, performance car | Upper bands – up to 41% |
The exact CO2 figure used is the vehicle’s officially recorded value — which can vary between variants of the same model. A diesel and a petrol version of the same car, for example, may fall into different VRT bands.
Why Can’t We Give You a Precise VRT Figure Upfront?
Because the VRT liability depends on two things that are specific to each vehicle:
- Revenue’s OMSP assessment; their valuation of that specific car in the Irish market, based on its age, mileage, condition, and comparable Irish prices at the time of registration
- The vehicle’s officially recorded CO2 figure, which determines the applicable rate
Both of these are vehicle-specific and cannot be calculated accurately from a general tool. We prefer to recommend two reliable VRT calculators which will give you an estimated VRT figure. The VRT calculators below let you choose a free estimator or, for a more accurate VRT estimate, use the paid VRT calculator.
VRT Calculator
Use this VRT calculator for a free estimate.
Use this paid VRT calculator for better accuracy.
Using the Calculator
To use the calculator, simply enter the purchase price of your car, and answer two simple questions:
Is the car VAT qualified or a margin car (not VAT qualified)
Where was the car built?
Calculating UK VAT
The UK retail price is divided by 1.2 to give the net price excluding VAT.
Total shipped price
The total shipped price includes the transport and shipping, UK customs entry, DHL, MHH fees and insurance.
Exchange rate calculation
The GBP-to-Euro exchange rate is calculated using a live feed from a professional forex provider, which is constantly updated with the latest rates for greater accuracy.
Irish Customs Clearance
Irish customs clearance will vary between €120 and €500, depending on whether you are buying privately or on behalf of a business with an Irish VAT number.
Car Import Duty
The import duty for a car is 10%. This can be reduced to zero if either:
*We have simplified this for the purpose of the calculator definition. Other conditions do apply to meet the zero duty requirements. Please get in touch for details.
Irish VAT at 23%
All vehicles imported into Ireland are subject to 23% Irish VAT. This is calculated as the total of the UK purchase price, transport and shipping costs, and import duty.
UK to Ireland Import FAQs
UK to Ireland Import
All your questions on importing cars from the UK to Ireland.
How much is VAT in Ireland?
The standard VAT rate in Ireland is 23%. However, the VAT rate for cars can vary depending on whether the car is new or used, its fuel type, and its emissions.
Is there VAT on car imports from the UK to Ireland?
UK cars are usually advertised with 20% VAT included in the price. You can buy a UK car for export to Ireland without paying UK VAT with the support of expert car exporters. Get in touch for details.
The standard VAT rate in Ireland is 23%. However, the VAT rate for cars can vary depending on factors such as whether the car is new or used, its fuel type, emission and import route.
VAT on New cars to Ireland
For new cars, the VAT rate is generally 23%. However, there are some exceptions and reductions for certain types of vehicles, such as electric cars, which may have a reduced VAT rate. Talk to us for details.
VAT on Used Cars in Ireland
For used cars, VAT is not typically applicable to the sale of second-hand vehicles in Ireland.
VAT on electric cars in Ireland
It’s always a good idea to check with the Revenue Commissioners or a tax advisor for the most up-to-date information on VAT rates for cars in Ireland, as tax regulations can change over time.
How much is VRT?
VRT varies based on CO2 emissions and the vehicle’s value.
Use this VRT calculator for a free estimate
OR
Use this paid VRT calculator for better accuracy.
How do I calculate import duty?
The duty payable is 10% of the car’s value, including the cost of shipping and insurance.
To calculate the duty owed, simply multiply the goods’ value by the relevant tariff rate, represented as a percentage. The duty rate for cars is 10%. So if your car is valued at €60,000, the duty owed would be €6,000.
Cars qualifying for Returning Goods Relief (RGR) are exempt from import duty.
What is Returning Goods Relief? (RGR)
Returning goods relief is a provision in customs regulations that allows individuals or companies to import goods back into a country without paying duties or taxes if certain conditions are met.
In the context of cars being imported to Ireland, returning goods relief would apply if a person who is resident in Ireland temporarily exported their car from Ireland for personal use, and then later decides to bring it back to Ireland. This could occur for various reasons such as temporary relocation, extended travel, or business assignments abroad.
To qualify for returning goods relief when importing a car into Ireland, certain conditions typically need to be met, which may include:
Proving Previous Export: The importer needs to provide evidence that the car was originally exported from Ireland. This could include customs documentation, export certificates, or other relevant paperwork.
Ownership and Use: The car must have been owned and used by the individual or company exporting it from Ireland for a certain period before export. This is to ensure that the relief is not being abused for commercial purposes.
Timeframe: There is usually a time limit within which the goods must be re-imported to qualify for the relief. This time limit can vary depending on the specific regulations of the country.
Condition of the Goods: The goods being imported must be in the same condition as when they were exported, except for normal wear and tear.
Declaration and Compliance: Importers typically need to declare the goods properly to customs authorities and comply with any additional requirements or paperwork associated with the relief.
It’s important to note that the specific requirements and procedures for returning goods relief can vary depending on the country’s customs regulations. Therefore, anyone considering importing a car or any other goods under returning goods relief should check the latest regulations and consult with customs authorities or a qualified customs broker for guidance specific to their situation.
For assistance with RGR for your car import, please get in touch, and we’ll be happy to help.
How much is VRT on a car imported from the UK to Ireland?
VRT depends on two factors: the vehicle’s CO2 emissions (which determine the rate, ranging from 0% to 41%) and Revenue’s OMSP — their independent assessment of the car’s value in the Irish market. Because the OMSP is set by Revenue based on comparable Irish prices at the time of registration, it is not possible to give a precise VRT figure from a general calculator. MHH International provides an estimated VRT figure for each vehicle as part of the full import cost breakdown — contact us with the specific car, and we will provide the complete picture.
What is OMSP and why does it matter for VRT?
OMSP stands for Open Market Selling Price. It is Revenue’s assessment of what a specific vehicle would sell for in Ireland, taking into account its age, mileage, condition, and comparable Irish market prices at the time of registration. VRT is calculated as a percentage of the OMSP – not of the price you paid in the UK, and not of the Irish retail list price. The same vehicle bought at two different UK prices will attract the same VRT, because Revenue’s OMSP is independent of the purchase price.
Do electric vehicles pay VRT when imported from the UK?
No. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are subject to a 0% VRT rate in Ireland. This is one of the strongest financial cases for importing from the UK – the single biggest variable in the import cost calculation is eliminated entirely. PHEVs (plug-in hybrids) sit in a lower VRT band than equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles, though not zero. MHH can confirm the applicable VRT band for any specific vehicle.
Is customs duty always 10% on a car from the UK?
Not necessarily. Many vehicles on UK forecourts are manufactured in the EU and may qualify for 0% duty under preferential origin rules in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Return Goods Relief (RGR) may also apply in certain circumstances. The duty position depends on the vehicle’s manufacturing origin and the applicable customs treatment — MHH assesses this for every vehicle before purchase.
What is the difference between VAT on the GB route and the NI route?
On the direct GB-to-Republic route, UK VAT is removed on export and Irish VAT at 23% is charged on importation. On the NI route, UK VAT at 20% is settled in Northern Ireland; Irish import VAT at 23% is not charged. The NI route therefore results in a VAT saving of 3 percentage points on the applicable base value, in addition to any customs duty savings where RGR or preferential origin applies.
Can MHH calculate the full cost before I buy?
Yes. Before you commit to any purchase, MHH International provides a full breakdown of the estimated import costs for your specific vehicle: customs duty position, VAT treatment, estimated VRT based on current OMSP data, and all associated fees. There is no obligation and no cost to request a quote.