Importing a car from Ireland to the UK: a how-to guide

Considering buying a car from Ireland? Or perhaps you’re moving back to the UK and want to bring your Irish car with you.

Either way, you’ll need to know how to ship it over, including all the paperwork and procedures involved.

In this guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know about how to import cars from Ireland to the UK. This includes helpful info on the procedures, paperwork and costs involved. Plus, how to register your vehicle with the DVLA once it arrives in the UK.

Need a secure way to pay for the car and costs overseas? Check out the Wise account – a universal account for sending, spending, and receiving money with transparent, low fees and multiple layers of security.

Learn more about the Wise account

Pros and cons of importing a car from Ireland

Before we get started, let’s take a look at why you might want to import a car from Ireland in the first place, rather than buying it in the UK. Plus, any potential pitfalls you need to look out for.

Pros:

• It could potentially be cheaper than buying the equivalent car in the UK, even after factoring in shipping costs.
• Access to unusual, rare or classic models you can’t find here in the UK.
• Irish cars are EU-registered vehicles, so don’t need to be extensively tested or modified to meet UK standards.
• It’s relatively quick to import cars over to the UK from Ireland.

Cons:

• Import duties and taxes can be expensive, unless you meet certain conditions.
• The hassle - even though it’s quicker than importing from far-flung locations, there’s still an amount of inconvenience and paperwork involved in importing a vehicle into the UK.
• Repairs, parts, servicing and maintenance might be a little tricky, especially if you have a rarer model.

Can you import and register a car from Ireland to the UK?

Yes, you can import a car from Ireland, but there are some rules you should be aware of before starting the process.

Firstly, you’ll need to make sure the vehicle you’re importing meets the UK’s environmental and safety regulations.

The good news is that cars from Ireland generally do match up with UK standards. As long as the car is registered in the EU, all you’ll need to do is get a European Certificate of Conformity from the manufacturer.¹

If the vehicle is left-hand drive, you’ll need to get an extra document - a certificate of GB Conversion Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA).¹

How to import a car from Ireland to the UK?

Here’s how to import a car from Ireland to the UK:

1. Find a vehicle and make the purchase
2. Look for a car shipping specialist
3. Get the paperwork sorted for the car
4. Register your imported vehicle with DVLA
5. Prepare your vehicle for UK roads

Now, let’s delve a bit deeper into these different steps, as it can be a slightly complicated process.

1. Find a vehicle and make the purchase

First up, you’ll need to shop around and find a car you want to buy. If you live in Ireland or can take a trip there, you’ll be able to visit dealerships, car auctions or private sellers in person.

Ideally, you should inspect the car in person. If for some reason you can’t make it over to Ireland, you’ll need to find someone local to check out the car in question on your behalf.

Even though Ireland is close to home, it’s always important to be careful of scams when buying a car in another country. Or for that matter, when making any large purchase. Take your time and do some homework on the seller, just to make sure they’re legitimate.

And before committing to the purchase, it’s a smart idea to read the small print. Just in case there are any hidden fees lurking in there.

Now we come to payment. You’ll need to find a secure, convenient and low-cost way to send money over to Ireland, like Wise. You can send large sums with Wise, securely, at a fair, mid-market exchange rate for converting your GBP to EUR with no hidden fees*.

It could be much cheaper than using your bank

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

💡Read more: What bank details are needed for an international bank transfer from the UK?

2. Look for a car shipping specialist

With your car purchased, it’s time to think about shipping.

Shipping a car between countries will always come with costs. And understandably, you’ll want these to be as low as possible. But price isn’t necessarily the most important factor to consider. You also need to make sure that your car will arrive in one piece, with all the paperwork done correctly.

So, when choosing a shipping agency, look for a company which:

• Specialises in international vehicle shipping - ideally, from Ireland to the UK
• Is fully insured
• Makes details of all fees and charges available upfront
• Is well reviewed and rated by previous customers.

It could also be a good idea to look for firms which offer tracking services, or tools to simplify the UK customs clearance process.

Options for shipping

There are a few different ways you can ship your newly purchased car from Ireland to the UK. These are:²

• Roll on/roll-off. This is where cars are simply driven into a ship’s cargo area, along with other vehicles. It’s one of the cheapest and most popular options, but only suitable for working/driveable vehicles. There may also be a risk of damage.

• Shared container service. This is where your car is shipped with other vehicles inside a shipping container. The costs are shared between everyone using the container. It can be more secure, and is a good option for non-functioning cars, but it can take longer. This is because you’ll need to wait until the container is filled before it can be loaded and shipped.

• Full container load. With this method, you’ll get the shipping container all to yourself. It’s the most expensive option, as you’ll be responsible for all charges. However, it can be quicker as the container can be shipped at any time.

What to do before your vehicle is picked up overseas?

Before your newly purchased car sets off on its journey, it’s a good idea to take some photos. Focus on areas where the car will be secured during transit. For example, side skirts, axles and wheels.

You should also take photos of the same spots once your car arrives in the UK. This way, you’ll be able to identify and prove any damage caused to the vehicle in transit. This can help if you need to make a claim for reimbursement.

You should also research insurance options, both for the journey and for when the car arrives in the UK.

3. Get the paperwork sorted for the car

Now we come to the important (but not very exciting) part - the paperwork. You’ll need certain documents to make sure your Irish import clears customs in the UK. It’ll also be needed for registering the car with the DVLA.

Here’s what you should have ready:³

Document	Where to get it
Import declaration	The Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system - although your shipping agency can handle this for you
Proof of ownership - such as the invoice or bill of sale for your vehicle (needed for the import declaration)	The seller/dealer
Shipping note and bill of lading (BOL)	Your shipping agency
Vehicle registration certificate or the vin/chassis number	The seller/dealer
European Certificate of Conformity¹	Manufacturer
GB Conversion Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) (for left-hand drive cars)¹	DVLA

You’re also likely to need a form of photo ID, such as your passport.

💡Read more: What is cash against documents?

4. Register your imported vehicle with DVLA

Once your vehicle has cleared UK customs, you’ll have two key things to get sorted.

The first is to tell HMRC within 14 days of the car arriving in the UK.³ They’ll tell you if any VAT or duties are due, and you’ll need to pay them if so.

Only once you’ve done this, can you move onto the second job - registering the car with the DVLA.

This involves filling in some forms and providing supporting documents. DVLA may also ask to inspect the vehicle. Once you’ve submitted your application, it can take up to 6 weeks to receive your V5C registration certificate.⁴

Which documents do you need for registering an imported car?

Make sure you have these documents ready in order to register your Irish import with the DVLA:⁴

• Proof of Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)
• Form V267 (for new vehicles)
• Original foreign registration certificate (or letter from the manufacturer if unavailable)
• Invoice from the supplier/seller.

5. Prepare your vehicle for UK roads

The last step is to get your Irish car ready and road legal before you can drive it in the UK. This includes getting a UK number plate, insurance and paying Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

For certain cars, there’s a chance you might need to make slight modifications such as a speedometer change.⁵

How much does it cost to import a car from Ireland to the UK?

Even if you find a bargain in Ireland, you’ll need to budget for things like shipping agency fees and import duties to actually get your new car over to the UK.

The costs can vary depending on the shipping agency you use, along with a number of other factors. But here’s a rough guide to some of the costs you can expect:

Type	Cost
Shipping agency fees	Varies
Import duty (if applicable)	£50 flat rate⁶
VAT (if applicable)	20%⁶

You can calculate the customs charges with this free UK import duty calculator.

If you’re paying any of these fees in EUR, pause before using your bank. Take a look at the Wise account instead, as it could save you money.

You can send money worldwide with Wise for low fees and fair exchange rates. It’s convenient, secure and speedy, even for large transfers. So, you can get your new car on its way to the UK quickly.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

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And that’s pretty much it - all the essentials you need to know about importing a car from Ireland to the UK.

We’ve run through what order to do things in, the documents you’ll need and how much it costs. You should be all set to go car shopping!

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Sources used:

1. Gov.uk - Importing vehicles into the UK - Vehicle approval
2. CFR Classic - Car shipping from USA to UK
3. Gov.uk - Importing vehicles into the UK - Telling HMRC
4. Gov.uk - Importing vehicles into the UK - Registering an imported vehicle
5. Specialised Shipping - Importing a car from Ireland
6. Specialised Shipping - Customs

Sources last checked on date: 09-May-2023