Import a Car from South Korea to Ireland
VRT, customs duty and VAT guide for South Korea imports
Calculate Import VRT →South Korea Import VRT Calculator
Estimate VRT for a vehicle imported from South Korea.
Importing from South Korea to Ireland
The EU-Korea trade deal removes customs duty on Korean cars. VRT and VAT still apply.
The VRT itself is the same CO2-based calculation used for every Irish import. What changes with South Korea is the customs duty and the currency conversion (prices are typically quoted in KRW). Always budget for VRT plus customs duty plus 23% VAT when calculating your total landed cost.
Step-by-step South Korea 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-Korea FTA)) 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.
South Korea 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-Korea FTA) on the value and 23% Irish VAT on the combined figure. Use the calculator above to model your specific vehicle.
South Korean Car Imports to Ireland
South Korea is home to Hyundai and Kia — two of the fastest-growing car brands in the Irish market. The EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement means 0% customs duty on South Korean vehicles, which makes importing directly from Korea an attractive option. Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are popular choices, with many available in the used market at 2–3 years old. South Korea is a left-hand drive market, so vehicles need headlight conversion for Irish roads.
The currency is the Korean Won (KRW), and car prices are generally competitive. A 2022 Hyundai Tucson can be found for KRW 25,000,000–35,000,000 (roughly €17,000–€24,000). Shipping from Busan to Dublin takes 5–7 weeks via container, costing approximately €1,400–€1,900. South Korean manufacturers are increasingly providing EU-standard Certificates of Conformity with WLTP data, but check before you buy. NCT testing is mandatory, and headlight beam conversion (roughly €150–€250) is required for all Korean imports. Use our car VRT calculator to estimate your tax before committing.
South Korea Import FAQs
What customs duty applies to South Korea imports?
Customs duty from South Korea is 0% (EU-Korea FTA). It is charged on the vehicle value before Irish VAT.
How is VRT calculated for a South Korea 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 South Korea import?
Yes. Irish VAT at 23% applies to the vehicle value plus any customs duty. This is separate from VRT.