Import a Car from Italy to Ireland
VRT, customs duty and VAT guide for Italy imports
Calculate Import VRT →Italy Import VRT Calculator
Estimate VRT for a vehicle imported from Italy.
Importing from Italy 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 Italy 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 Italy 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.
Italy 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.
Italian Car Imports for Irish Buyers
Italy is a popular source for Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia, and Ferrari imports — brands that Irish buyers specifically seek out. Italian cars tend to be well-maintained thanks to strict annual inspection (revisione) requirements, and many Italian owners sell cars at just 3–4 years old when company lease agreements end. Milan, Rome, and Turin are the main markets for used car exports. Popular imports include the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Fiat 500, and Fiat Panda — compact cars that are well-suited to Irish roads.
The currency is the euro, eliminating exchange rate risk. Italy drives on the right (left-hand drive), which is standard for Ireland. Shipping from Genoa or Naples to Dublin takes 5–7 days by RoRo ferry, with costs of roughly €500–€800. Italian vehicles come with EU-standard documentation including a Certificate of Conformity with WLTP data, so Revenue accepts the CO2 and NOx figures without additional testing. Check our OMSP guide to understand how Revenue values Italian imports.
Italy Import FAQs
What customs duty applies to Italy imports?
Customs duty from Italy is 0% (EU member). It is charged on the vehicle value before Irish VAT.
How is VRT calculated for a Italy 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 Italy import?
Yes. Irish VAT at 23% applies to the vehicle value plus any customs duty. This is separate from VRT.