How To Move a Car to Ireland
- 1). Find a shipping line that will take your car all the way to Ireland. You may not need to fin a direct route, but check to ensure the company doesn't require you to import your car to, for instance, the United Kingdom and then re-export to Ireland, which will incur extra charges. If your car does need to go via another country, ask the company to treat it as a "transhipment" or "relay."
- 2). Ask the shipping line whether it will complete all the relevant documentation and whether you should expect any additional charges. If the shipper wants you to complete any paperwork, ask for blank forms as well as guidance on completion. Misdeclarations can result in hefty fines; even if you have not filled in the forms, you may need to sign them. You will also need to pay shipping insurance amongst other possible charges.
- 3). Expect to pay import duty of at least 10 percent if you are bringing the car from outside the European Union (EU) before the car's release in Ireland. If you are importing the car from another EU country and have owned the car for fewer than six months, you will need to pay value added tax (VAT)---as of 2010, a 17.5 percent levy. This tax applies even if you have already paid VAT in another part of the EU. All cars imported from outside the EU will attract VAT, irrespective of their age.
- 4). Register your car with the revenue commissioners at the nearest Vehicle Registration Office (VRO) before you drive your vehicle in Ireland. If you have owned the car for fewer than six months, you will need to pay Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT). The Irish Tax and Customs website provides a facility enabling you to calculate this amount.
- 5). Buy motor insurance and motor tax. Your existing insurance may not cover your car in Ireland. Check with your insurer, and make adjustments as necessary. Purchase your motor tax online or at the local Motor Taxation Office.
- 6). Put your car through the National Car Test (NCT) if it is more than four years old, even if your car has satisfied statutory tests abroad. The testing station will issue you a test certificate, which will display the date by which you will need to have the car tested again.
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