Import Cost Calculator Ireland
Importing a car from the UK costs far more than the sticker price. This free calculator adds the UK price, 23% import VAT, 10% customs duty, VRT (with the NOx levy) and transport plus fees into one all-in landed cost for Ireland in 2026 — so you know the real number before you buy, and whether importing beats buying here.
Import Landed-Cost Estimator
Enter the UK car's details to estimate the full all-in cost of landing it in Ireland.
The advertised price in pounds. We convert to euro for you.
Add this to see whether importing actually saves money versus buying here.
What goes into the total
23% import VAT — since Brexit, applies to used cars from Great Britain and to private buyers (non-reclaimable).
10% customs duty — the default on GB imports. 0% only for genuinely UK-manufactured cars with a Statement on Origin.
VRT + NOx levy — charged on Revenue's OMSP, by CO₂ band, paid at the NCTS centre.
Transport, docs & fees — ferry/collection, history check and registration paperwork.
Tip: a Northern Ireland car with proven Union status avoids VAT and customs — only VRT applies.
In short: the all-in landed cost of a UK import is the euro price plus 23% import VAT, 10% customs duty (0% only for genuinely UK-manufactured cars), VRT on Revenue's OMSP by CO₂ band, the NOx levy, and your transport and registration fees. Use the calculator above for your exact figure. Estimate only — verify with Revenue/SEAI before committing.
The hidden cost of a UK import
The price on a UK forecourt is only the start. Since Brexit, a used car brought in from Great Britain attracts 23% Irish import VAT on its customs value, and private buyers cannot reclaim it. On top of that, 10% customs duty applies unless the car is genuinely UK-manufactured with a Statement on Origin. Then comes Vehicle Registration Tax, charged on Revenue's assessed OMSP by CO₂ band, plus the NOx levy — paid at the NCTS centre when you register. The calculator pulls all of these together so the total is honest.
Northern Ireland is the exception
A car already in Northern Ireland with proven Union status can be brought south with no VAT and no customs duty — only VRT applies. That can make NI stock dramatically cheaper to land than a Great Britain car of the same spec, so it is always worth checking before committing to a GB purchase.
Import cost — frequently asked questions
What is the all-in cost of importing a car from the UK to Ireland?
The all-in landed cost is the UK price converted to euro plus three taxes and your fees: VRT (charged on Revenue’s OMSP by CO₂ band, plus the NOx levy), 23% import VAT on the customs value, and 10% customs duty unless the car is genuinely UK-manufactured. Add ferry/collection, a history check and registration paperwork. This calculator adds them into one figure. Estimate only — verify with Revenue/SEAI before committing.
Do I pay VAT when importing a used car from Great Britain?
Yes. Since Brexit, 23% Irish import VAT applies to used cars brought in from Great Britain, including for private buyers who cannot reclaim it. The VAT is charged on the customs value (the euro price plus transport) and, where due, on top of the customs duty. A Northern Ireland car with proven Union status is the main way to avoid it.
When is customs duty 0% on a UK car import?
Customs duty is 10% by default on cars imported from Great Britain. It is 0% only for a car that is genuinely UK-manufactured and accompanied by a Statement on Origin under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, or one qualifying for Returned Goods Relief. An EU-made car — for example a German or French model — sold in Britain does not qualify for 0%, despite a common assumption.
How is VRT calculated on a UK import?
VRT on a UK import is a percentage of the OMSP (Revenue’s assessed Irish market value) set by the car’s CO₂ band — from 7% for the lowest emissions up to 41% for the highest — plus the NOx levy of €5–€25 per mg/km. It is confirmed and paid at the NCTS centre at registration. Revenue often assess the OMSP higher than the UK price, so treat any pre-purchase figure as an estimate.
Is it cheaper to import a car from the UK or buy in Ireland?
It depends on the car. Once 23% VAT, 10% customs duty and VRT are added, the saving on many EU-built mainstream models shrinks or disappears, and importing can cost more than buying the same car already in Ireland. UK-manufactured cars (0% duty) and Northern Ireland stock (VAT/customs-free with Union status) import best. Enter an Irish retail price in the calculator to see the save-or-lose comparison.
Skip the import hassle
Many imported cars are already taxed, VRT-paid and on Irish forecourts. Search verified used vehicles from trusted Irish dealers.
Search used vehicles— The Autoza Team