Expert answer

Hi Patricia,

No we don't - we review cars, as well as writing motoring news and features and producing video content to support same.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

So long as you can prove that fact, using MOT dates perhaps, then you should not be liable for any customs duty or VAT on importation. Of course, you will still need to pay VRT and the NOx levy.

Read our Guide to importing cars from Northern Ireland for full details.

Expert answer

Hi Joseph,

We're not convinced. There are some advantages for sure, such as getting a car that is often in better condition than an Irish-market model of the same age, and sometimes with more equipment for the price as well.

But there are loads of downsides, including potential issues with sourcing parts if it's not identical to the car that was sold in Ireland and increased insurance. Many Japanese cars do not come with alarms or immobilisers, either.

For rare cars that have value then it's certainly worth looking at, but for a regular car such as the Toyota, we'd advocate for seeking out cars already in Ireland.

If you want to investigate it further, it's definitely worth working with a reputable importer that will do it all for you, up to registering the car on Irish plates, as that in itself can be tricky. We don't have first-hand experience of any one company though so can only suggest you do some Googling and looking for independent reviews of the companies you find.

And make sure you read our Guide to buying Japanese imports.

Expert answer

Hi Lisa,

It does not sound like the dealer imported the car according to the Windsor Framework (do ask them) and it does not sound like the car was used for "a reasonable amount of time" after importation into the North so going on the little information above, we'd have to assume that yes, you would be liable for VAT on importing that car, plus import duty, VRT and the NOx levy.

Read our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland for more

Expert answer

Hi Christine,

It sounds like you're new to this, so it may be worth reading our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland feature.

In summary, whether you have to pay VAT and import duty depends entirely on the circumstances of the car in question. If the car was registered new in NI and used there (and is now over six months old) then no VAT etc payable.

Same thing for a car imported from the rest of the UK to the North, registered and used there for "a reasonable amount of time" according to Revenue. 

The ones to watch out for are cars brought in by a dealer in the North purely to be sold on, without properly importing it first.

The dealers in the North should know what paperwork you need to show Revenue, but always check for yourself.

And finally, no matter what, you will be liable for VRT and the NOx levy.

Expert answer

Hi Erika,

You will need to go through the standard importation procedure for all cars being brought into Ireland. Keep all documentation relating to the purchase and the car's original importation into Northern Ireland. Hopefully it's exempt from VAT and import duty, though you will have to pay VRT and the NOx levy regardless.

Be aware that you must make a reservation with the NCTS within seven days of the car arriving south of the border, with a view to completing the process in 30 days.

I highly recommend you read our guides on the subject:

Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland

How much VRT is paid in Ireland?

Expert answer

Hi Conor,

I spoke with a representative of Opel Ireland today and they asked me to apologise to you for the confusion.

The electric version of the Sports Tourer is indeed available, but it's what's called a "special order" model, so it has been removed from the public-facing price list etc. If you contact your local Opel dealer, they should be able to talk you through the process of ordering one. 

Don't forget to read our review of the Opel Astra Electric (though we've not tested the estate model).

Update on 2 Sep 2025: Opel Ireland got in touch to say the online documentation has been updated. You can get the new Opel Astra price list here.

Expert answer

Hi Nestor,

We'd need a lot more information to be able to give you any estimates of the costs involved, but generally speaking, if the car is coming from England, Scotland or Wales, you will be liable for VAT and import duty on top of VRT and the NOx levy. Cars coming from Northern Ireland usually (though not always) only attract VRT and the NOx levy.

To estimate the VRT you will need the official CO₂ rating and a guess at the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) according to Revenue. Give us the car's engine details and we should be able to make a good guess at all that. 

I highly recommend you read our guides on the subject first:

Guide to Importing Cars from the UK
Guide to Importing a Car from Northern Ireland

And it isn't really possible for us to estimate your insurance cost as there are so many factors involved. Best bet is to ring around with a registration number of a very similar existing car in Ireland to get a feel for the price.

One final thing to be aware of: your Indian licence is only valid in Ireland for 12 months after you arrive in the country, regardless of whether you have access to a car.

Expert answer

Hi Jason,

For a 2022 Kia EV6, regardless of its origin, there is likely to be full VRT relief on importation. That's because the relief applies to EVs worth up to €40,000 in Revenue's eyes (that value is called the Open Market Selling Price - or OMSP) and taking a look at Irish classifieds now, no 2022 EV6 exceeds that value.

Whether import/customs duty is payable – and indeed VAT at 23 per cent – is not so clear cut, and that will depend on the specific vehicle.

I suggest you read our Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland feature to familiarise yourself with some of the rules, but distilled down, if the car you're importing from Northern Ireland has been used by someone living there for “a reasonable amount of time” (Revenue's words) then no VAT or customs duty should be payable when importing it south of the border.

You will need to be able to prove that about the car.

If you're buying from a dealer in the North, you need to talk to them and ask if the car has been imported according to the Windsor Framework, and if so, if they'll supply proof to you of that.

Without proof, you could be slapped with a VAT and customs duty bill when importing the car.

Hopefully that has been of help, but don't hesitate to come back to us if you need more assistance.

Expert answer

Hi Vakaris,

Actually, as the BMW i3 is an EV, and there's VRT relief for electric cars on first registration in Ireland (it doesn't matter if the car is new or used), you won't pay any VRT.

However, if the car has indeed come from England, Scotland or Wales, you will have to pay VAT and customs duty. Customs duty is 10 per cent of the 'customs value', which is defined as the price you paid for the car, plus transport and insurance costs. VAT is 23 per cent of the customs value plus the customs duty paid.

If the car is actually coming from Northern Ireland, and not GB, the situation is different.

I suggest you give our guides on all this a read:

Guide to Importing Cars from the UK

Guide to importing a car from Northern Ireland