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Regulations for Importing Japanese
Used Cars to Ireland

Considering importing a car from Japan to Ireland? Understand the essential rules, duties, and required documentation to ensure a smooth import process

Key Import Guidelines

Vehicle Age Restrictions

Vehicle Age Restrictions

There is no age limit.

Steering Position

Steering Position

Both right-hand drive and left-hand drive cars are accepted.

Vehicles Accepted

Vehicles Accepted

Passenger cars with up to 9 seats are accepted.

Shipping and Port Details

Shipping and Port Details

Primary Ports: Dublin and Cork Seaport

Shipping Method

Shipping Method

RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)

Duties and Taxes

Duties and Taxes

Duties and taxes are worked out on the CIF value, which is the car's price plus sea freight. Customs duty is 10% of the CIF value, but cars made in Japan pay none. Import VAT is 23% of the CIF value plus customs duty.

Registration and Local Charges

Registration and Local Charges

VRT depends on the car's CO2 emissions, open market selling price and mileage, and cars more than 30 years old pay a flat €200. The NOx charge depends on the car's NOx emissions, up to €600 (€4,850 for diesel cars), but cars more than 30 years old and electric cars pay none. Cars registered for at least 4 years need an NCT test (€60). The tyre charge is €14. Motor tax depends on the car's engine size or CO2 emissions, and cars more than 30 years old pay a flat €56.

Required Documents for Customs Clearance

Registration Certificate (Country of Origin)

Registration Certificate (Country of Origin)

Confirms car registration status

Export Certificate

Export Certificate

Issued by Japanese authorities, required for customs

Original Invoice

Original Invoice

Provided by Carbarn.

Bill of Lading

Bill of Lading

Issued by the shipping company detailing shipment specifics

Condition Report

Condition Report

Detailed description of vehicle condition, including exterior, interior, and mechanical status

Buyers are responsible for paying all duties and taxes due to Revenue (the Office of the Revenue Commissioners) and for registering the vehicle through the National Car Testing Service (NCTS), which registers imported vehicles on Revenue's behalf.

Import Rules and Regulations

Thinking about importing a car from Japan to Ireland? This page covers which cars can be imported, how they are shipped, the duty and VAT charged when the car arrives, and the Vehicle Registration Tax paid when it is registered.

Which Cars Can Be Imported

Vehicle Age

Ireland sets no age limit on imported cars. Age matters only for tax: a car more than 30 years old pays a flat Vehicle Registration Tax.

Steering Position

Both right-hand drive and left-hand drive cars can be imported. Most Japanese cars are right-hand drive, the same as cars sold in Ireland.

Vehicle Type

Passenger cars with up to 9 seats, including the driver's seat.

Inspections

  • In Japan: none. Ireland does not ask for an inspection certificate before the car ships.
  • In Ireland: the car is inspected by the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) within seven days of arriving. The NCTS registers the car and works out its Vehicle Registration Tax at that appointment.

Shipping

  • Arrival ports: Dublin or Cork
  • Shipping method: RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)
  • Shipping line: Höegh Autoliners, sailing monthly
  • Time at sea: 28-45 days

Duties and Taxes

Customs duty and VAT are worked out on the CIF value: the price of the car plus the sea freight to Ireland.

  • Customs duty: 0% for cars made in Japan, and 10% of the CIF value for cars made elsewhere. The 0% rate comes from the EU–Japan trade agreement.
  • Import VAT: 23% of the CIF value plus customs duty.

Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT)

  • VRT: a percentage of the car's Open Market Selling Price, set by its CO2 emissions: from 7% (at least €140) in the lowest band to 41% (at least €820) in the highest, across twenty bands.
  • NOx charge: €5 for each mg/km of NOx up to 40, €15 for each mg/km from 40 to 80, and €25 above that, capped at €4,850 for diesel cars and €600 for other cars.
  • Electric cars: no NOx charge, and up to €5,000 off VRT until 31 December 2026. The reduction shrinks for cars valued above €40,000 and ends at €50,000.
  • Cars more than 30 years old: a flat €200 VRT and no NOx charge.

Where Revenue has not yet valued a car, the VRT shown on this site is an estimate. The final amount is set when the car is registered.

After Registration

  • NCT test: €60, for cars first registered four or more years ago.
  • Tyre charge: €14.
  • Motor tax: paid yearly, set by CO2 emissions for cars first registered from July 2008 and by engine size before that. Cars more than 30 years old pay €56.

Step by Step

  1. The car is booked onto a RoRo sailing and the export documents are issued in Japan.
  2. The car arrives, the customs declaration is filed, and duty and VAT are paid. Filing needs an EORI number.
  3. The NCTS inspects the car within seven days of arrival and works out its VRT.
  4. The car goes onto the Irish register and its plates are issued.