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Cost to import a car from Japan to Ireland – what you actually pay in 2026
Most people underestimate what it actually costs to import a car from Japan to Ireland — and that's where mistakes start.
If you're trying to work out the real cost to import a car from Japan to Ireland, the key thing to understand is simple: the purchase price is only part of the picture.
In most cases, importing a car from Japan to Ireland adds doubles the price you pay in Japan, depending on the car, its emissions, and how VRT is calculated.
That means a €15,000 car in Japan often ends up landing closer to €30,000+ by the time it's ready for NCT test
Real cost to import a car from Japan to Ireland
In most cases, importing a car from Japan to Ireland adds doubles the price you pay in Japan, depending on the car, its emissions, and how VRT is calculated.
That means a €15,000 car in Japan often ends up landing closer to €30,000+ by the time it's ready for the registration and NCT test.
Where people go wrong is assuming it's just shipping and a bit of tax.
In reality, the total cost is made up of several layers — some predictable, some less obvious — and understanding how they stack together is what makes the difference between a smart import and an expensive surprise.
Car price in Japan – what you actually pay before import
This is the part most people focus on when calculating the cost to import a car from Japan to Ireland.
You'll often find:
- better condition
- lower mileage
- higher spec
And sometimes… surprisingly good prices. That's the hook.
Shipping, export fees, and paperwork costs
Once you buy the car, the real cost of importing a car from Japan to Ireland starts to add up.
This includes:
- shipping from Japan
- export and handling fees
- paperwork
Typically: €1,400 – €2,500
Not cheap — but not outrageous either.
VAT and customs duty when importing a car to Ireland
Here's where Ireland steps in like "Ah yeah, we'll take a bit of that."
You'll pay:
- Customs Duty: ~10%
- VAT: 23%
These are based on the value of car + shipping combined
So yes… they stack.
VRT in Ireland – the biggest factor in import cost
VRT is one of the biggest factors in the total cost of importing a car from Japan to Ireland, and often the least understood.
VRT depends on:
- the car
- emissions
- market value in Ireland
Some cars reasonable and some cars absolutely not worth it. This is where most mistakes happen.
That's why it's important to understand how VRT is calculated and how the car import process from Japan to Ireland actually works before making a decision.
Total cost of importing a car from Japan to Ireland – how it all adds up
When you combine all of these elements — the purchase price, shipping, taxes, VRT, service, compliance work, small repairs, NCT and registration — the total cost of importing a car from Japan to Ireland becomes much clearer.
It's not one big charge, but a series of smaller layers that build on top of each other.
That's why two cars with the same price in Japan can end up costing very different amounts in Ireland, depending on emissions, specification, and how they're assessed for VRT.
Understanding that structure is what allows you to plan properly — instead of guessing.
Real example: what €15,000 actually becomes
Real example: what €15,000–€20,000 actually becomes
Let's take something more typical.
You find a 2016 Porsche Macan in Japan for around €15,000. Clean, well maintained, sensible mileage. The kind of car that would immediately catch your attention if it showed up locally.
Then reality kicks in.
FOB brings it to roughly €16,000. Shipping pushes up the bill to roughly 17,800. Customs adds around €1,780. VAT comes in at around €4,500. By the time VRT lands somewhere in the €8,000 to €10,000+ range — you're looking at roughly €34,000 on the road in Ireland.
Not cheap — but now you know exactly what you're working with.
Let's break that down properly.
The FOB price is €16,000. Shipping to Ireland typically adds around €1,800, bringing the CIF value to €17,800 — and that's where the tax calculations begin.
Customs duty is 10% of that CIF value, so roughly €1,780. After that, VAT is applied at 23% on the combined amount, bringing it to approximately €4,500. This is where the numbers start to move quickly.
Once the car arrives in Ireland, VRT becomes the key variable. For something like a Macan, you're realistically looking at an extra €8,500, depending on emissions and Revenue's valuation.
Then there are the smaller but still necessary costs — registration, NCTS, plates, and minor compliance work — typically around €1,000–€2,000 in total.
By the time everything is done, what started as an €15,000 car in Japan ends up being a €34,000–€35,000 car in Ireland.
And that's the reality most buyers are working within.
In real terms, examples like this are consistent with what we see regularly — and importantly, they're often competing with higher mileage or lower-spec alternatives already on the Irish market.
What different budgets actually look like
The final cost depends heavily on your starting budget.
As a rough guide:
- A €15,000 car in Japan typically lands between €25,000 and €30,000 in Ireland.
- At €25,000, total cost often falls between €35,000 and €45,000, depending largely on VRT.
- For higher-end cars in the €40,000+ range, total cost can reach €55,000 to €70,000 or more, especially where VRT is significant.
Why people still do it
At this point you might be thinking "Right… and people still go through all this?"
Yes. All the time.
Because you're usually getting:
- a better condition car
- lower mileage
- higher spec
- something you actually want
Not just whatever happens to be available locally.
Where people get caught
This is important.
Most people don't get it wrong because importing is bad —
they get it wrong because they:
- underestimate VRT
- don't calculate total cost properly
- assume every car is a deal
That's where things go sideways.
It's also where understanding the full cost of importing a car from Japan to Ireland properly makes all the difference.
So… is it expensive?
So what is the actual cost to import a car from Japan to Ireland in 2026 and is it expensive?
It depends how you look at it.
If you compare just the purchase price it may look expensive but when you shift the focus to the quality of car you get it often makes sense. You're not just buying a car. You're getting:
- condition
- history
- spec
- peace of mind
(Which, let's be honest, is rare enough sometimes.)
Final thought
Importing a car from Japan to Ireland isn't about finding the cheapest option. It's about getting a better car for your money — if the numbers are done properly from the start.
Otherwise…you're just guessing with a calculator and hoping for the best.
Related guides
If you're looking at this seriously, it helps to understand how everything fits together in practice.
How to import a car from Japan to Ireland
Common questions about importing a car from Japan to Ireland
Common questions about the cost of importing a car from Japan to Ireland
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Ireland?
In most cases, importing a car from Japan to Ireland adds between €8,000 and €15,000 on top of the purchase price. The final cost depends on the car, its emissions, and how VRT is calculated, but a €15,000 car typically lands around €25,000–€30,000 all-in.
What is included in the total import cost?
The total cost includes the car price in Japan, shipping, export and handling fees, customs duty, VAT, VRT, and registration costs in Ireland. Each of these layers contributes to the final on-road price.
How much is VRT when importing a car to Ireland?
VRT varies depending on the car's emissions, market value, and how Revenue assesses it. It's often the largest single cost in the process and can significantly change the final price.
Is it cheaper to import a car from Japan to Ireland?
It can be, depending on the car. In many cases, you're getting a lower mileage, better maintained, and higher-spec vehicle for a similar total price compared to what's available locally.
Are there hidden costs when importing a car from Japan?
Most costs are predictable once you understand the process, but people often underestimate VRT, registration, and small compliance costs. That's where mistakes usually happen.
How long does it take to import a car from Japan to Ireland?
Typically between 6 to 10 weeks from purchase to delivery, depending on shipping schedules and processing times once the car arrives in Ireland.
See what importing a car from Japan actually looks like within your budget
If you're seriously considering importing a car from Japan to Ireland, it helps to look at real examples — based on your budget, preferred spec, and what's currently available to import.
No pressure. Just clarity.