Import a Car from Netherlands to Ireland
VRT, customs duty and VAT guide for Netherlands imports
Calculate Import VRT →Netherlands Import VRT Calculator
Estimate VRT for a vehicle imported from Netherlands.
Importing from Netherlands 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 Netherlands 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 Netherlands 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.
Netherlands 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.
Netherlands: Europe's Car Export Hub
The Netherlands is a key transit point for vehicle exports to Ireland. The port of Rotterdam is the largest vehicle handling port in Europe, processing over 4 million cars per year. Many vehicles destined for Ireland pass through Rotterdam, whether they originate in Germany, France, or elsewhere in Europe. This makes it easy to source a wide range of brands at competitive prices.
Dutch car prices are moderate compared to Germany, and the country has a strong market for compact hatchbacks and electric vehicles. The Netherlands has one of the highest EV adoption rates in Europe, which means there's a healthy supply of used EVs like the Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen ID.3, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 available for export. The currency is the euro, and shipping from Rotterdam or Amsterdam to Dublin takes 3–5 days by RoRo ferry, with costs of approximately €400–€650. Dutch vehicles come with EU-standard COC documentation, making the VRT process straightforward.
Netherlands Import FAQs
What customs duty applies to Netherlands imports?
Customs duty from Netherlands is 0% (EU member). It is charged on the vehicle value before Irish VAT.
How is VRT calculated for a Netherlands 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 Netherlands import?
Yes. Irish VAT at 23% applies to the vehicle value plus any customs duty. This is separate from VRT.