Import a Car from Malaysia to Ireland

Importing from Malaysia to Ireland

No FTA for cars, 10% customs duty, VRT, and 23% VAT apply.

The VRT itself is the same CO2-based calculation used for every Irish import. What changes with Malaysia is the customs duty and the currency conversion (prices are typically quoted in MYR). Always budget for VRT plus customs duty plus 23% VAT when calculating your total landed cost.

Step-by-step Malaysia 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 (10%) 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.

Malaysia 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 10% on the value and 23% Irish VAT on the combined figure. Use the calculator above to model your specific vehicle.

What Malaysians Commonly Import to Ireland

Malaysia's car market is dominated by locally-assembled Proton and Perodua models, but those aren't the cars people typically import to Ireland. The vehicles worth importing are usually Japanese and European models sold through Malaysian dealers — Toyota Camrys, Honda Civics, and BMW 3 Series are the most common. Malaysia uses right-hand drive, which means the cars are already set up for Irish roads, saving you the cost and hassle of headlight and speedometer conversions.

Shipping from Malaysia to Ireland typically goes through Port Klang or Penang, with the vehicle loaded into a container for the 6–8 week journey via the Suez Canal. Container shipping from Malaysia to Dublin or Cork costs roughly €1,200–€1,800 depending on vehicle size. The currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), and exchange rates should be checked before purchase — use a service like Wise or Revolut rather than your bank, which typically charges 3–4% on currency conversion.

Malaysia-Specific Documentation

You'll need the Malaysian JPJ registration certificate (blue card), the original purchase invoice, and a Certificate of Conformity showing WLTP CO2 and NOx figures. Malaysia doesn't issue EU-standard CoCs, so you may need to get an independent test done. The vehicle must also pass an NCT test before it can be registered in Ireland. Budget for the NCT (€55) and any modifications required for Irish road use, such as rear fog lights if the car doesn't already have them.