Import a Car from Belgium to Ireland
VRT, customs duty and VAT guide for Belgium imports
Calculate Import VRT →Belgium Import VRT Calculator
Estimate VRT for a vehicle imported from Belgium.
Importing from Belgium to Ireland
EU member, 0% customs duty. VRT and 23% VAT apply.
The VRT itself is the same CO2-based calculation used for every Irish import. What changes with Belgium is the customs duty and the currency conversion (prices are typically quoted in EUR). Always budget for VRT plus customs duty plus 23% VAT when calculating your total landed cost.
Step-by-step Belgium import process
- Buy the vehicle and obtain the registration document and proof of purchase.
- Arrange shipping/transport to Ireland.
- Clear customs and pay any duty (0% (EU member)) and Irish VAT at 23%.
- Book a VRT appointment and present the Certificate of Conformity with CO2 and NOx data.
- Revenue assesses OMSP, charges VRT, and you receive Irish plates.
Belgium Import Cost Example
For a car with an Irish OMSP of EUR 40,000 and CO2 of 140g/km (20% band), the VRT would be EUR 8,000 before age depreciation. Add customs duty of 0% (EU member) on the value and 23% Irish VAT on the combined figure. Use the calculator above to model your specific vehicle.
Belgium's Role in Irish Car Imports
Belgium is an EU member, so there's 0% customs duty on vehicle imports. The main reason Belgian imports are worth considering is the port of Antwerp — one of Europe's largest vehicle handling hubs. Thousands of new and used cars pass through Antwerp every month, and many of these are available for export at competitive prices. Belgium is also a major distribution point for European car manufacturers, which means a wide selection of brands and models is available.
The currency is the euro, so there's no exchange rate risk — you pay in the same currency you'll use in Ireland. Belgium drives on the right, making vehicles left-hand drive, which is the standard in Ireland. Popular imports from Belgium include Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes models that have been used as company cars and are being sold at 2–3 years old with moderate mileage. Belgian cars typically come with full EU-standard documentation, including a valid Certificate of Conformity with WLTP CO2 and NOx figures, which makes the VRT process smoother.
Belgium Import Logistics
Shipping from Antwerp or Zeebrugge to Dublin or Rosslare takes 2–4 days by RoRo ferry, with costs of approximately €400–€700. Several shipping companies operate regular routes on this corridor. You can also drive the car from Belgium to France and take the ferry from Cherbourg or Roscoff, which takes 18–20 hours. The Belgian registration document (inschrijvingsbewijs / carte grise) is your proof of ownership, and it should include the CO2 and NOx data needed for VRT. Check our VRT bands page for current rates.
Belgium Import FAQs
What customs duty applies to Belgium imports?
Customs duty from Belgium is 0% (EU member). It is charged on the vehicle value before Irish VAT.
How is VRT calculated for a Belgium car?
VRT uses the Irish OMSP and the CO2-based bands, identical to any other import. The country of origin only affects customs duty and VAT, not the VRT rate.
Do I pay VAT on a Belgium import?
Yes. Irish VAT at 23% applies to the vehicle value plus any customs duty. This is separate from VRT.