Import a Car from Thailand to Ireland

Importing from Thailand 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 Thailand is the customs duty and the currency conversion (prices are typically quoted in THB). Always budget for VRT plus customs duty plus 23% VAT when calculating your total landed cost.

Step-by-step Thailand 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.

Thailand 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.

Thai Car Market and Import Details

Thailand is a major vehicle manufacturing hub — Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Isuzu all produce cars and pickup trucks there for export across Asia. The domestic market favours pickups (the Toyota Hilux is the bestseller) and compact SUVs, so these are the models most likely to be available for export. Thailand drives on the left side of the road, but unlike Malaysia, many Thai-market vehicles are left-hand drive, which means they'll need headlight and speedometer conversion for Irish roads.

The currency is the Thai Baht (THB). Car prices in Thailand are generally lower than in Singapore or Australia, making it an attractive source for budget imports. A 2020 Toyota Hilux can be purchased for THB 500,000–700,000 (roughly €13,000–€18,000), which is often less than half the Irish asking price. Shipping from Thailand to Ireland takes 6–8 weeks, with container costs of around €1,200–€1,600. Bangkok Laem Chabang port is the main departure point.

Thailand Import Notes

Thailand doesn't follow EU emissions standards, so obtaining a valid Certificate of Conformity with WLTP CO2 and NOx data can be tricky. You may need an independent emissions test. Left-hand drive vehicles also require headlight beam conversion and potentially a speedometer recalibration to show km/h correctly. Budget for these conversions (roughly €200–€400) on top of the shipping and customs costs. Check the OMSP against comparable Irish imports before finalising your purchase.