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How Much VRT Will You Pay on a Japanese Import in Ireland?

If you've looked into importing a car from Japan to Ireland, you've probably heard one thing over and over again "Watch the VRT — that's the one that'll catch you."

And to be fair… they're not wrong.

VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) is usually the biggest unknown when importing a car. It's also the part that can turn what looks like a great deal into something a bit less appealing — if you don't understand how it works.

So let's break it down properly, without the confusion.


What Is VRT (And Why Does It Exist?)

VRT is a tax you pay when registering a car in Ireland for the first time.

It doesn't matter if the car is brand new or coming from Japan — if it's being registered here, VRT applies.

And no, unfortunately, there's no way around it.


How VRT Is Actually Calculated

This is where things get interesting.

VRT isn't based on what you paid for the car in Japan.

It's based on what Revenue thinks the car is worth in Ireland
(This is called the OMSP — Open Market Selling Price)

Then they apply a percentage based on emissions.

So the formula is essentially: VRT = % of OMSP (based on CO₂ emissions)


What That Means in Real Life

Let's say you import a car and Revenue values it at €20,000.

If it falls into a 25% VRT band:

  • You'll pay €5,000 VRT

Simple enough on paper — but the tricky part is:

  • You don't control the valuation
  • You don't always know the exact band in advance


Typical VRT Ranges

To give you a rough idea:

  • Small petrol cars: €1,500 – €3,000

  • 2.0L petrol (like Skyline): €4,000 – €6,500

  • SUVs / higher emissions: €6,000 – €10,000+

These aren't exact figures — but they're realistic.


Why VRT Catches People Out

Most people make one of these mistakes:

  • They assume VRT is based on the purchase price
  • They guess the amount instead of checking
  • They don't factor it in early enough

And suddenly the "cheap car" isn't so cheap anymore


What Affects VRT the Most

There are three main factors: 

  1. Revenue valuation (OMSP). What they think the car would sell for in Ireland 
  2. CO₂ emissions. Higher emissions = higher tax band 
  3. Vehicle type. SUVs and larger engines tend to get hit harder


How to Estimate VRT Before You Buy

This is where you avoid problems.

Before committing to a car, you should:

  • check similar models already in Ireland
  • use the Revenue VRT calculator
  • look at real examples (not guesses)

Because once you know the VRT, the rest becomes predictable.


Important: Older Cars Can Be Tricky

Cars like a 2000 Skyline can be slightly more complex.

Why?

Because older vehicles often have:

  • estimated emissions
  • different valuation logic

Which can push them into higher VRT bands than expected.


The Smart Way to Look at VRT

Instead of asking "How much is VRT?" 

Ask "What's the total cost of the car in Ireland?"

Because that's what actually matters.


Real Example (Quick)

A car valued at €18,000 in Ireland:

  • VRT rate: 30%
VRT = €5,400


Final Thought

VRT isn't something to fear — but it is something to respect.

Once you understand how it's calculated, it becomes predictable. And when it's predictable, you can make proper decisions instead of guessing.

Because importing a car from Japan to Ireland isn't about finding the cheapest option — it's about knowing the full cost before you commit.


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