Import Cars from China to Ireland
Ireland drives on the left and requires right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles for standard private registration — similar to the UK. But like the UK, Ireland has a real legal pathway for registering left-hand-drive (LHD) imports through the National Standards Authority of Ireland's (NSAI) Individual Vehicle Approval process, the Irish implementation of the same EU individual-approval framework the UK inherited pre-Brexit.
MG already sells an official, right-hand-drive lineup through its own Irish dealer network, with BYD growing alongside it — DriveSino isn't that channel. We source LHD vehicles directly from China's domestic market, a different option for buyers who are fine with LHD and the NSAI approval process.
Pourquoi Importer de Chine vers l’Irlande ?
- LHD is legally importable via NSAI Individual Approval: the EU's individual-vehicle-approval framework, administered in Ireland by the NSAI, allows registration of vehicles without full EU type approval — a genuine, established process, not a workaround
- Price advantage: sourcing directly from China's domestic market can offer a real price difference versus buying through an official RHD dealer network, for buyers fine with LHD and the approval step
- Model access: DriveSino's catalog includes models and trims not currently sold through official Irish channels
- MG and BYD set a precedent: their genuine Irish sales momentum shows real appetite for Chinese brands here — DriveSino's LHD route is a different, complementary option
Transport de Chine vers l’Irlande
1 port desservant Ireland
Fret à partir de 5,775 $ USD
DriveSino ships vehicles from major Chinese export ports to Dublin:
| Port | Freight (USD) | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin | $5,775 | 33–46 days |
* Rates are estimates and vary by season and cargo type.
Droits d'Importation et Taxes pour l’Irlande
Ireland applies EU import duty and VAT, plus its own Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT):
- EU import duty: 10% of CIF value for passenger vehicles from China
- VAT: 23% in Ireland on CIF value + import duty
- VRT: Ireland applies a separate CO2-based Vehicle Registration Tax at registration, on top of VAT — rates vary significantly by emissions bracket
- NSAI Individual Approval fee: a separate inspection fee, distinct from duty, VAT, and VRT
- Estimated total: roughly 33%+ combined duty and VAT, plus VRT and NSAI approval costs — confirm current figures before ordering
Estimez Votre Coût Total Rendu
Basé sur un véhicule à 15 000 $ — parcourez notre stock pour un prix exact sur une voiture spécifique.
Estimation uniquement. Les droits d'importation UE (10%) et frais d'import européens sont inclus dans le calculateur lorsqu'un pays européen est sélectionné.
Documents Requis et Conformité
Fournis par DriveSino (Côté Export)
DriveSino provides all export-side documentation for shipping from China to Ireland:
- Certificate of Origin — Proves vehicle was manufactured in China
- Bill of Lading — Shipping document from the carrier
- Commercial Invoice — Transaction value and vehicle details
- Export Customs Declaration — Filed with Chinese customs
- Vehicle Title/Certificate — Proof of ownership
- Technical specification sheet — Supports the NSAI Individual Vehicle Approval application
Import-side requirements include Irish Revenue customs declaration, duty/VAT payment, NSAI Individual Vehicle Approval, and VRT payment before registration. DriveSino can refer you to NSAI approval specialists who handle this regularly.
Exigences Côté Import
Les exigences d'importation varient selon le pays. DriveSino vous conseille sur la réglementation spécifique en Irlande et peut vous mettre en relation avec des agents en douane de confiance au port de destination.
Poser une question sur l’IrlandeComprendre les documents d'exportation est essentiel pour une importation fluide. Visitez notre Centre de Connaissances pour des explications détaillées :
Comment Importer une Voiture de Chine vers l’Irlande
- Browse inventory: explore our selection of export-ready vehicles from China — all with real photos and inspection reports
- Request a quote: contact us via WhatsApp or email with your preferred vehicle and confirm delivery to Ireland
- Confirm and pay: a sales contract is issued. Payment by international bank transfer
- Export documentation: we prepare all Chinese export documents plus the technical spec sheet for your NSAI application
- Shipping: your vehicle ships to Dublin via RoRo or container
- Transit & tracking: 33–46 days sea transit. We provide Bill of Lading and regular tracking updates
- Customs, NSAI approval & VRT: we support your customs clearance; you or an NSAI approval specialist handle the individual approval and VRT registration
- Delivery: after clearance and NSAI approval, arrange delivery anywhere in Ireland
Conseils pour Importer vers l’Irlande
- Budget for NSAI Individual Vehicle Approval (cost and time) separately from shipping, duty, and VRT
- Confirm current VRT bracket for your specific vehicle with DriveSino before ordering
- Factor in total landed cost: vehicle price + shipping + insurance + duty + VAT + VRT + NSAI approval fees
- Use the DriveSino cost calculator on each listing for an instant estimate
Lecture associée
EU Tariffs on Chinese EVs ExplainedImporter des Voitures de Chine vers l’Irlande — FAQ
Can I legally register a left-hand-drive car in Ireland?
Yes. The NSAI's Individual Vehicle Approval process allows LHD vehicles without full EU type approval to be inspected and registered — the Irish implementation of the same EU individual-approval framework the UK's DVSA IVA scheme is based on. It's a real, established process, but a genuine extra step and cost.
Is DriveSino the same as MG's official Irish dealer network?
No. MG sells an official, right-hand-drive lineup through its own Irish dealer network — a separate channel. DriveSino sources left-hand-drive vehicles directly from China's domestic market, a different option for buyers fine with LHD and the NSAI approval process.
How much does NSAI Individual Vehicle Approval cost?
NSAI Individual Vehicle Approval carries its own inspection fee and timeline, separate from shipping and VRT — confirm current NSAI fees directly, and budget the time into your overall import timeline.
How much does it cost to import a car from China to Ireland?
Total cost includes: vehicle price (FOB China), shipping freight from $5,775 USD, 10% import duty, 23% VAT, CO2-based VRT, and NSAI approval fees. Use our cost calculator for an instant estimate of the vehicle and shipping portion.
Does Ireland use right-hand drive or left-hand drive cars?
Ireland drives on the left and requires right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles for standard registration — but LHD vehicles can be registered via the NSAI's Individual Vehicle Approval process.
Centre de Connaissances
Réponses détaillées aux questions courantes sur l'importation de voitures depuis la Chine
Prêt à Importer une Voiture vers l’Irlande ?
Contactez-nous pour un devis personnalisé. Nous gérons le sourcing du véhicule, les documents d'exportation, le transport et la livraison.