Import a Car from France to Ireland
VRT, customs duty and VAT guide for France imports
Calculate Import VRT →France Import VRT Calculator
Estimate VRT for a vehicle imported from France.
Importing from France to Ireland
EU member state, so no customs duty. VRT is calculated on the Irish OMSP and VAT at 23% applies.
The VRT itself is the same CO2-based calculation used for every Irish import. What changes with France 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 France 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.
France 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.
French Car Imports to Ireland
France is a major source for Peugeot, Renault, Citroen, and DS imports — brands that have a loyal following in Ireland but aren't as widely available through Irish dealers. French cars tend to offer good value for money, with competitive pricing and efficient engines that sit comfortably in the lower VRT bands. The most popular imports are the Peugeot 208, 308, and 3008, the Renault Clio and Captur, and the Citroen C3 and C5 Aircross.
As an EU member, there's 0% customs duty, and the currency is the euro, so no exchange rate risk. France is well-connected to Ireland by ferry — direct routes run from Cherbourg and Roscoff to Rosslare, with crossing times of 16–20 hours. Shipping costs run €400–€700. French vehicles come with EU-standard COC documentation, and France uses WLTP testing, so CO2 and NOx figures are directly accepted by Revenue. French cars are left-hand drive, which is standard for Irish imports. Check our import calculator to model the full landing cost.
France Import FAQs
What customs duty applies to France imports?
Customs duty from France is 0% (EU member). It is charged on the vehicle value before Irish VAT.
How is VRT calculated for a France 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 France import?
Yes. Irish VAT at 23% applies to the vehicle value plus any customs duty. This is separate from VRT.