Import a Car from United States to Ireland
VRT, customs duty and VAT guide for United States imports
Calculate Import VRT →United States Import VRT Calculator
Estimate VRT for a vehicle imported from United States.
Importing from United States to Ireland
Identical treatment to USA imports: 10% customs duty, VRT, and 23% VAT.
The VRT itself is the same CO2-based calculation used for every Irish import. What changes with United States is the customs duty and the currency conversion (prices are typically quoted in USD). Always budget for VRT plus customs duty plus 23% VAT when calculating your total landed cost.
Step-by-step United States 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.
United States 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.
US Vehicle Imports: What to Know
The United States market offers vehicles that are hard to find elsewhere — Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Corvettes, Tesla Model S/X, and Jeep Wranglers are the most popular imports. US cars are left-hand drive, so headlight beam conversion and speedometer recalibration are required before NCT testing. The currency is the US Dollar (USD), and American car prices are generally lower than in Ireland for equivalent models, but the 10% customs duty, 23% VAT, and long shipping times add up quickly.
Shipping from the US East Coast (New York, Baltimore) to Dublin takes 2–3 weeks via container, costing approximately €1,800–€2,500. West Coast ports add another 1–2 weeks. US vehicles require EPA and DOT compliance documentation, and for cars over 25 years old, these requirements are waived. For newer vehicles, you'll need to show that the car meets EU emissions standards. Revenue may also adjust the OMSP upward if the purchase price seems unusually low. Always compare against Irish market values before buying. Our import calculator gives you the full landing cost breakdown.
United States Import FAQs
What customs duty applies to United States imports?
Customs duty from United States is 10%. It is charged on the vehicle value before Irish VAT.
How is VRT calculated for a United States 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 United States import?
Yes. Irish VAT at 23% applies to the vehicle value plus any customs duty. This is separate from VRT.