Is right-hand drive legal in Ireland?

Yes — Ireland drives on the left, so right-hand-drive cars are the norm and Japanese RHD imports are straightforwardly road-legal once registered. No steering conversion is needed.

What is VRT and how much will it cost?

Vehicle Registration Tax is a one-off Irish charge assessed by Revenue when you register a non-Irish car. It is calculated as a CO2-based percentage of the car's Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) in Ireland, plus a NOx levy. The amount varies significantly by model and emissions, so we run the Revenue VRT calculator for your specific car and quote the figure before you commit.

How much is import duty and VAT at the Irish customs stage?

The standard import duty on passenger cars from Japan is approximately 10% of the customs value, plus 23% Irish VAT on the imported value. These are separate from VRT, which is charged at registration — we quote all three before you decide.

Is there an age limit on cars imported to Ireland from Japan?

No — there is no fixed age cap on private imports to Ireland. However, older cars may have a lower OMSP used for VRT, which can actually reduce the VRT bill. All cars must pass NCTS roadworthiness checks.

Do you handle VRT and Irish registration for me?

Yes. Our team coordinates the NCTS VRT appointment, pays the levy on your behalf and handles Irish registration. You receive the car with Irish plates and all paperwork done.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Ireland

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Ireland drives on the left, so Japan's enormous pool of right-hand-drive used cars slots straight in without any modification — the same natural fit that makes the UK such a strong market applies equally here. Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Subaru are well-supported by Irish mechanics, and sourcing direct from a Japanese auction typically puts a well-graded car into Ireland at a price that undercuts the local used market. There is no EU-wide age cap on private imports, and the cost breakdown has three main layers: import duty (0% under the EU-Japan EPA with Japan-origin proof, ~10% without it) and 23% VAT at the customs stage, then a separate Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) assessed by Revenue when the car is registered in Ireland — VRT is calculated on the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) of an equivalent car in Ireland and can be a significant additional charge, so we price it explicitly before you commit. Cars arrive at the Port of Dublin, and our licensed team handles every step from auction sourcing in Japan, ocean freight, customs clearance, VRT assessment coordination and inland delivery to Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford or wherever you are in Ireland.

Main ports: Dublin
Import age rule: Ireland drives on the LEFT — RHD Japanese stock fits and is genuinely registrable, with no used-import age limit. Post-Brexit, Japan is a third country: customs duty + import VAT at the border, then VRT + NOx levy at registration (within 30 days).
Steering: RHD
Duties & taxes: Beyond 23% import VAT (0% EU–Japan EPA duty with origin proof, 10% MFN fallback), Ireland charges VRT on the car's OMSP (Open Market Selling Price), banded by CO2 from 7% to 41%, plus a NOx levy. Using engine cc as a CO2 proxy and OMSP ≈ 1.5–1.7× CIF, VRT works out to ~30% of CIF for a small petrol car, ~48% mid, ~62% for a large SUV — total landed tax ~53% of CIF (Fit) to ~85% (Prado). NOx levy ~€150–500 for a petrol car (cap €600).

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Estimate only — duties, freight and last-mile delivery vary and policies change. Our team confirms exact, current figures on WhatsApp before any bid.

How to import a car from Japan to Ireland

Choose a right-hand-drive car for Ireland
Tell us your budget and requirements. We shortlist right-hand-drive cars from Japanese auction — Irish roads are left-hand traffic, so RHD cars need no conversion. We confirm the spec is compatible with Irish registration.
We source it at USS auction
With licensed USS auction access, our team reads the auction sheet, checks the grade and bids for you. You see the car and its full condition report before any money moves.
Pre-shipment documentation
We prepare the Irish customs import declaration (AIS), the invoice, bill of lading and any origin documents needed to support the duty calculation. Roadworthiness is checked before loading.
Ocean freight to Dublin
The car sails to the Port of Dublin. We send you the sailing schedule and tracking once the vessel is booked.
Customs clearance — duty and VAT
On arrival we clear customs, pay the applicable duty (0% under the EU-Japan EPA with origin proof, ~10% without) and 23% Irish VAT on the imported value. The car is then available for VRT assessment.
VRT assessment and registration
Vehicle Registration Tax is assessed by Revenue based on the car's OMSP in Ireland. We coordinate the NCTS appointment for VRT, pay the levy, and arrange the NOx levy if applicable, then deliver the registered car to your door.

Import duties & taxes in Ireland explained

When you import a car from Japan to Ireland outside any EU preferential agreement, the customs duty on passenger cars is commonly 10% of the customs value, with 23% Irish VAT charged on top of that. These are the port-stage charges. Separately, before the car can be registered in Ireland, Revenue charges Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) — a significant one-off levy calculated on the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) of an equivalent car in Ireland, with a CO2-based percentage applied on top; there is also a NOx levy. The VRT figure varies considerably by model, age and CO2 output, which is why we quote it explicitly and confirm it with Revenue's VRT calculator before you commit. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Ireland

Toyota Corolla Axio
A right-hand-drive family sedan that arrives Ireland-ready — familiar Toyota reliability, well-supported parts network and a lower OMSP base that can keep VRT manageable.
See prices
Honda Fit
The petrol and hybrid versions of the Fit are extremely popular in Ireland for fuel economy in urban traffic. Sourcing the Japanese domestic model in RHD gets you a well-equipped car at well below local forecourt prices.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
A compact, low-CO2 hatchback that keeps VRT costs down and running costs lower still — popular with buyers in Dublin and Cork who want the cheapest total cost of ownership.
See prices
Mazda Demio
Well-finished interior for the money, small engine, right-hand drive, and a modest OMSP that avoids the top VRT bands. A sensible first Japanese import for the Irish market.
See prices
Toyota Probox
Durable, practical and popular with small businesses and tradespeople in Ireland — a tough wagon with low running costs and easy parts sourcing.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Ireland

Dublin — You are at the port — inland delivery for a sedan runs only about $150.
Waterford — Delivery from Dublin to Waterford adds roughly $220 for a sedan.
Limerick — Delivery from Dublin to Limerick adds roughly $240 for a sedan.
Galway — Delivery from Dublin to Galway adds roughly $240 for a sedan.
Cork — Delivery from Dublin to Cork adds roughly $260 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Is right-hand drive legal in Ireland?: Yes — Ireland drives on the left, so right-hand-drive cars are the norm and Japanese RHD imports are straightforwardly road-legal once registered. No steering conversion is needed.
What is VRT and how much will it cost?: Vehicle Registration Tax is a one-off Irish charge assessed by Revenue when you register a non-Irish car. It is calculated as a CO2-based percentage of the car's Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) in Ireland, plus a NOx levy. The amount varies significantly by model and emissions, so we run the Revenue VRT calculator for your specific car and quote the figure before you commit.
How much is import duty and VAT at the Irish customs stage?: The standard import duty on passenger cars from Japan is approximately 10% of the customs value, plus 23% Irish VAT on the imported value. These are separate from VRT, which is charged at registration — we quote all three before you decide.
Is there an age limit on cars imported to Ireland from Japan?: No — there is no fixed age cap on private imports to Ireland. However, older cars may have a lower OMSP used for VRT, which can actually reduce the VRT bill. All cars must pass NCTS roadworthiness checks.
Do you handle VRT and Irish registration for me?: Yes. Our team coordinates the NCTS VRT appointment, pays the levy on your behalf and handles Irish registration. You receive the car with Irish plates and all paperwork done.