Shipping a Car to Ireland from the UK: Complete Dublin Guide

Until January 2021, importing a car from Great Britain to Ireland was a straightforward intra-EU transaction. Brexit changed that fundamentally. Vehicles brought from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) into the Republic of Ireland are now treated as imports from a third country and attract customs duty, VAT at the Irish rate and Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT). Northern Ireland is treated differently and qualifies for special arrangements under the Windsor Framework.

Despite the additional administration, the UK to Ireland route remains one of the busiest in Europe. Many Irish residents continue to source cars from the UK because the right-hand-drive market is large, well-priced and offers a much wider choice of trims, colours and specifications than the local Irish market. The Ship Cars operates daily RORO shipping ferry sailings from Holyhead, Liverpool and Pembroke into Dublin Port, Rosslare and Cork, with door-to-door collection and delivery available from any UK postcode.

For a wider view of the post-Brexit export side of the transaction, read our companion guide to UK export procedure and our UK customs clearance guide.

Three separate charges apply when a vehicle moves from Great Britain into the Republic of Ireland.

Customs duty — 10% of the customs value (vehicle price plus shipping) for cars that are not of UK origin. Cars manufactured in the UK that meet the Trade and Cooperation Agreement rules of origin can qualify for a 0% preferential rate, provided the supplier issues a valid Statement on Origin. Without that statement, 10% applies.

Irish VAT — 23% on (customs value + customs duty). VAT is charged regardless of whether the vehicle is new or used, which is the single biggest change since Brexit.

Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) — A separate Irish tax based on the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) of the vehicle in Ireland and its CO2 and NOx emissions. Rates run from 7% for the cleanest petrol cars up to 41% for high-emission vehicles. Diesel cars typically attract a NOx surcharge on top.

Northern Ireland origin — Vehicles that were registered in Northern Ireland for a meaningful period before being moved to the Republic generally avoid customs duty and VAT, falling only into the VRT regime. The Revenue Commissioners check ownership history carefully, so timelines matter.

Documentation required — Original V5C with the export section completed, Bill of Lading or ferry booking, commercial invoice, EORI number for the importer, Statement on Origin if claiming preferential duty, and a current address in Ireland. The Ship Cars provides a Brexit checklist with every Irish booking.

RORO ferry from Holyhead to Dublin Port (most popular)
• Indicative cost: £450 to £850 including driver collection in the UK and delivery in Dublin
• Transit time: 3 to 4 hours sea crossing, total 1 to 3 days door to door
• Daily sailings, often more than one per day

RORO ferry from Liverpool to Dublin
• Indicative cost: £550 to £950
• Transit time: 8 hour overnight crossing, total 2 to 4 days door to door

RORO ferry from Pembroke or Fishguard to Rosslare
• Indicative cost: £500 to £900
• Transit time: 4 hour crossing, total 1 to 3 days door to door
• Best for customers in the south east of Ireland

Irish landed cost components on a typical £20,000 used car
• Shipping: £450 to £850
• Customs duty (if not UK origin): around €2,200
• Irish VAT at 23%: around €5,600
• VRT: highly variable, often €3,000 to €6,000 depending on emissions
• Customs entry, broker and EORI: €100 to €250
• NCT (Irish MOT) booking and registration: €100 to €200

Use our cost calculator for shipping or read our complete shipping cost guide for international comparisons.

The post-Brexit Irish import process has six clear stages, all of which we manage as part of a door-to-door booking.

1. Pre-boarding declaration — A Pre-Boarding Notification (PBN) is filed with Irish Revenue before the vehicle boards the ferry. Without a valid PBN, the ferry operator will refuse loading.
2. Customs entry on arrival — On disembarking at Dublin or Rosslare, the customs entry is finalised. Duty (if applicable) and VAT are paid through the importer's EORI account.
3. Booking the VRT inspection — The vehicle must be presented at a National Car Testing Service (NCTS) centre within 30 days of arrival. Slots in Dublin can fill quickly so we book in advance.
4. VRT assessment and payment — The NCTS centre assesses the OMSP and emissions, calculates VRT and collects payment.
5. Plate issue — Irish registration plates are ordered and fitted.
6. NCT (where required) — Vehicles over 4 years old generally need a current Irish NCT certificate. We coordinate the booking when needed.

The full process from UK collection to Irish plates typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.

- Check the V5C export section — A V5C without the export part completed will create delays at the NCTS appointment. We check this at the quote stage.
• Ask the seller for a Statement on Origin — A UK-made car (Mini, Nissan Sunderland, JLR, Bentley, Aston Martin) can qualify for 0% preferential duty if the supplier issues the right paperwork. The saving is significant.
• Use the Revenue VRT calculator early — VRT is the single biggest variable in the total cost. Check it before you commit to buying the car.
• Avoid the bargain trap — A car that looks cheap on AutoTrader can become expensive once VAT, VRT and shipping are added. Use our cost calculator up front.
• Insure across the crossing — Confirm your UK policy covers the ferry crossing and the first 30 days in Ireland, or arrange short-term cover. Read our marine transit insurance explainer for what to look for.

Ready to bring a car home to Ireland? You can request a free quote in two minutes or contact our team for door-to-door pricing from any UK postcode to Dublin, Cork, Galway or Limerick.