The total cost for importing a used car from Japan to Ireland includes Customs Duty where applicable, 23% import VAT, VRT, the NOx levy, port charges, NCT or registration steps, and inland transport. JUC handles Japan-side sourcing, vehicle information, export certificate preparation and shipping coordination; Ireland clearance, taxes, VRT, NCTS, insurance and local compliance are handled by the buyer or an Ireland agent unless a quote explicitly includes them.
Confirm the exact vehicle, auction sheet, odometer record, export eligibility, destination port, customs agent, Irish tax assumptions and insurance path. Do this before bidding because Irish tax and registration outcomes depend on vehicle-specific documents and Revenue assessment.
Official source nearby: Last checked: 30 August 2026
Revenue: Vehicle Registration Tax · Revenue: VRT and registration
Revenue assesses VRT using the vehicle details and the applicable rules. Revenue guidance explains that the VRT amount can include a CO2 component and a separately calculated NOx levy. The payable amount is not a fixed JUC website price.
Official source nearby: Last checked: 30 August 2026
Revenue guidance refers to documents such as the Japanese Export Certificate, CO2 and NOx confirmations from Japanese MLIT where required, customs declaration or MRN records, certified translations and other vehicle-specific evidence. Confirm the document set with your Irish clearing agent before purchase commitment.
Official source nearby: Last checked: 30 August 2026
Revenue: general information on registration · Revenue: procedure at the NCTS centre
Revenue guidance says the NCTS appointment should be made within 7 days of the vehicle entering the State and the vehicle should be registered within 30 days. Late registration can lead to additional VRT or other consequences under current rules.
Official source nearby: Last checked: 30 August 2026
Irish insurers and local compliance providers may ask about security equipment, immobiliser status, model specification and replacement parts support. Do not assume every Japanese import has the same insurance outcome; check with your insurer before purchase commitment.
Official source nearby: Last checked: 30 August 2026
| JUC / Okinawa Auto | Japan-side sourcing, auction sheet and condition information sharing, export certificate preparation and shipping coordination from Japan. |
|---|---|
| Buyer or Ireland agent | Irish customs clearance, Customs Duty, import VAT, VRT, NOx levy, NCTS appointment, registration, insurance, local compliance and inland transport unless a specific written quote explicitly includes a defined item. |
| Origin evidence | EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement treatment may be possible only with acceptable origin evidence. Confirm this with the clearing agent; do not assume every Japanese vehicle qualifies. |
Official source nearby: Last checked: 30 August 2026
These are sourcing examples, not current inventory. Actual year, specification, condition, price and export eligibility are confirmed per inquiry.
The total depends on the vehicle and Japan-side fees, ocean freight and optional insurance, Customs Duty where applicable, 23% import VAT, VRT, the NOx levy, port charges, agent fees, NCTS or registration costs, insurance and inland transport. Without vehicle-specific inputs and Revenue assessment, JUC cannot guarantee an exact landed total.
No. We support Japan-side sourcing, vehicle information disclosure, export certificate preparation and shipping coordination. Irish customs clearance, VRT, NOx levy, NCTS appointment, registration, insurance and local compliance are handled by the buyer or an Ireland agent unless a specific quote explicitly includes them.
Revenue states that import VAT is charged at the standard rate of 23%. The final tax treatment depends on the import declaration, customs value, vehicle documents and Revenue assessment.
No. Customs Duty depends on classification, origin evidence and the applicable rules at import. EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement treatment may require acceptable origin evidence, so duty should be checked with the clearing agent before bidding.
Irish registration and tax assessment may rely on the Japanese Export Certificate, CO2 and NOx confirmations from Japanese MLIT where required, customs declaration or MRN information, translations and other vehicle-specific documents requested by Revenue or NCTS.
The NOx levy is a separate component of VRT. The amount depends on the vehicle category, verified NOx emissions at the time of manufacture and the rules in force. For Japanese imports, formal MLIT emissions confirmation may be used. If acceptable NOx data is not available, a flat charge may apply. Revenue or NCTS determines the final amount from the vehicle documents; JUC does not guarantee the tax amount.
Revenue guidance says the NCTS appointment should be made within 7 days of the vehicle entering the State and registration should be completed within 30 days. Late registration can lead to additional VRT or other consequences under current rules.
Yes. Cover for Japanese-specification models, immobiliser or security equipment, parts availability and insurance conditions can vary by model and insurer. Buyers should confirm with an Irish insurer before purchase commitment. This does not mean every Japanese import lacks an immobiliser, and JUC does not guarantee that insurance will be available.
No. The examples are sourcing examples only. They do not represent current inventory, and actual year, grade, condition, price and export eligibility are confirmed per inquiry before purchase commitment.
This guide is general information. Final decisions are made by the destination authority, customs agent and vehicle-specific documents.
Revenue: VRT Revenue: VRT and registration Revenue: general information on registration Revenue: procedure at the NCTS centre Revenue: applying tax Revenue: NOx emissions Revenue: EU-Japan preferential origin Garda: vehicle theft prevention
Last checked: 30 August 2026