Import Car to Ireland

Importing Your Car to Ireland? Car Import from the USA to Ireland starts at a cost of $1,495 USD with an estimated turnaround time of 4-6 weeks, depending on the make and model of the car, the port of origin, and the method of shipment. Below, we explore everything you need to know about importing your car to Ireland in our 2024 guide.

Importing a Car to Ireland: Checklist

Vehicle Import Options

Importing a Car to Ireland: Costs & Time Frame

Importing a Car to Ireland: Options

Additional Services

Ports Served in the US and Ireland

Cleaning Your Vehicle of Biosecurity Concerns

Plating Your Vehicle in Ireland

Other Ireland/US Shipping Options

Importing a car from the United States to Ireland can be relatively easy if you carefully prepare and choose a reliable and trustworthy shipping company.

Here’s a rough breakdown of the process you’ll need to go through to ship your car overseas to Ireland.

More information on the process of importing a vehicle to Ireland can be found here.

As you engage in the process of importing your car to Ireland, some of the most important questions to consider include:

• Whether you plan to permanently keep the automobile in Ireland or if it’s just a temporary move,
• Whether you have been the owner of the car for at least 6 months.
• Whether you’re importing a new or used vehicle.

These questions and more will determine whether your car is eligible for Ireland import. Your actual tax rate is based on these details.

When importing cars, you should never assume your international shipping scenario is the same as someone else’s. Importing classic cars or used cars may have eligibility requirements that differ from those for importing new cars into Ireland.

To obtain an estimate of the cost to ship a car to Ireland, fill out our free quick quote form.

Vehicle Import Approval

Upon arrival of your auto shipment to Ireland, the shipped vehicle must be declared in Customs.

You’ll need the following documentation:

• Purchase Invoice / Bill of Sale
• Proof of Vehicle Ownership
• Certificate of Registration
• Proof of Payment of Sales Tax
• Proof of Residency in Ireland
• Proof of Insurance
• Shipping Documentation for Personal belongings
• Irish Customs Form

Things to Consider

To obtain an estimate of the cost to ship a car to Ireland, fill out our free quick quote form.

Car Import from USA to Ireland can be performed using a shared container, a sole container or a roll-on/roll-off service.

Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) –Vehicles are loaded onto a ship that contains a cargo area built like a very big parking garage. This international car shipping option tends to be cheaper as other than the shipping charge, you are required to pay only port charges and customs clearance charges.

Transits tend to be faster than with the shared container service as the vessels depart on a weekly basis.

Shared container service – This method for car import to Ireland requires multiple vehicles to be loaded into one shipping container. While there are more fees involved to ship a car from the USA to Ireland with shared container service than with the roll-on/roll-off shipping method, due to the fact that the container must be processed, these charges are shared between the various clients who are using the container. Such fees include a trucking charge, terminal handling charge, customs clearance, and charge for unloading the vehicles at a bonded warehouse.

One disadvantage is that you might face a longer wait before your vehicle departs, as the container must have a full load before import to Ireland.

Full container load – You have the added benefit of a fully enclosed container, just like our shared container service, but the 20 ft container is dedicated solely to your vehicle. Since there’s no wait for other cars to be loaded, you’ll enjoy a shorter wait before departure. However, additional terminal handling fees and other charges won’t be shared with other vehicle owners.

Our most selective customers prefer the high level of safety and expediency offered when importing cars with dedicated container shipping. When your vehicle is received, we’ll photograph and document the vehicle’s condition as well as the loading process. Your vehicle will be loaded using our modern steel loading system, which is not only environmentally friendly, but doesn’t rely on outdated wood ramps and nails that other shipping companies use, which can damage your vehicle.

After your car is loaded onto your own private container, it is locked and secured. This will ensure no one gains access to your car before reaching its final destination. Since the vehicle is fully enclosed in a secure container, we invite our clients to pack and transport other items inside the vehicle. However, everything must be loaded securely, as we won’t be responsible for loss or damage of any kind.

Once your vehicle reaches its destination in Ireland, our agent will unlock the container, document the vehicle’s condition, and photograph the entire unloading process. Every step of the import process is not only handled carefully but documented for your peace of mind.

Compared to our roll-on/roll-off shipping option, enclosed container shipping is not only more secure when importing to Ireland, but much faster due to frequent departures each week.

Sourcing vehicles – Overseas clients who wish to buy a vehicle can turn to our long list of car buyers developed in our nearly thirty years in the auto industry, who can find and purchase vehicles for an additional fee or commission.

Other services – Some of the auto transport services we offer in overseas territories include domestic pickup, vehicle import assistance, tracking of your shipment, customs clearance in the USA and a full vehicle inspection report.

Departure Ports – United States

The location your vehicle will depart from depends on the method of car import to Ireland, where your vehicle is located, your budget, and which services the nearest port offers. We have multiple departure locations from which we can ship cars from the USA, including Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Miami, Savannah, and more.

Destination Ports – Ireland

Here are the entry ports in Ireland that we can ship a car to.

Before import to Ireland, the undercarriage of your car must be cleaned and free of foreign soil to prevent the introduction of invasive plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. This can be accomplished through steam cleaning or other thorough cleaning methods.

CFR Classic can assist with finding an appropriate cleaner to help ensure you comply with this requirement before car import to Ireland. We do not recommend washing the interior of the vehicle as it can cause mold during transport. Vacuuming the interior is usually more than sufficient prior to car transport.

Once you have received customs clearance, you will need to register your newly imported vehicle. The registration process must be completed within 30 days of the vehicle’s arrival in Ireland. If required, you must book an appointment with the National Car Testing Service within 7 days of your car’s arrival in Ireland.

In order to register your car in Ireland, you should have:

• A copy of the Customs Declaration
• A Certificate of Conformity
• A Personal Public Service Number (PPS)
• Proof of Identity (such as an Identity Card or Passport)
• Foreign Registration Certificate

Once the vehicle has been registered and you have paid the Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), you will be assigned a new registration number which must be displayed in your car within 3 days. Before you are able to pay motor tax, you will need to make sure that you have valid motor insurance in place.

Importing a Car from the US to Ireland
Importing a Car from Ireland to the US
Car Shipping from USA to Ireland
Car Shipping from Ireland to USA
Cargo Shipping from the US to Ireland
Cargo Shipping from Ireland to the US
Moving Household Goods from the US to Ireland
Moving Household Goods from Ireland to the US

This information was updated in January 2024. All information, time frames, pricing, and regulations are subject to change. Please contact a sales representative for the most current rates and information.

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