Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Ireland
Direct service to Dublin and Cork with VRT calculated per VIN before you buy. For classics over 30 years, Ireland charges a flat €200 VRT — one of the best collector deals in Europe.
Ireland at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,300+
- Ocean transit
- 10–14 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Dublin · Cork
- Import duty + VAT
- 10% + 23% VAT + VRT
- Classic cars 30+ yrs
- Flat €200 VRT
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Ireland: What You Need to Know
Dublin Port handles the bulk of Ireland's vehicle imports, with Cork serving the south on regular rotations. The cost stack runs three layers deep: 10% EU duty, 23% VAT, and VRT — Vehicle Registration Tax — assessed on the Irish open-market value with rates up to 41% by CO2 band, plus a NOx levy on top. Registration happens at an NCTS centre within 30 days of arrival, a deadline our Irish agents manage so penalties never enter the picture.
The arithmetic transforms entirely at 30 years: classic vehicles pay a flat €200 VRT regardless of value, import at 0% duty, and carry low historic road tax. That makes Ireland one of Europe's most attractive landings for high-value American classics — a six-figure Corvette pays the same €200 VRT as a project pickup. Note that Ireland drives on the left, yet LHD American classics remain fully legal to register and are prized by collectors.
Key takeaway
For modern cars, model VRT (up to 41% by CO2 plus NOx levy) before bidding — it's often the largest single cost. For 30+ year classics, Ireland flips to flat €200 VRT and 0% duty, making it a top-three EU destination for valuable American collector cars.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Ireland
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Dublin | 10–14 days | Weekly |
| Baltimore, MD | Dublin | 11–16 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Cork | 13–18 days | Bi-weekly |
| Houston, TX | Dublin | 18–24 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Ireland from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Ireland, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Ireland fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Ireland
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,300 – $2,000 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,500 – $3,500 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,400 – $4,800 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | $1,600 – $2,600 | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Ireland →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentIreland Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 10% | 23% + VRT | VRT up to 41% by CO2 |
| Classic cars (30+ yrs) | 0% | 13.5% + €200 VRT | Flat VRT regardless of value |
| Electric vehicles | 10% | 23% + VRT | VRT relief for EVs |
| Motorcycles | 6% | 23% + VRT | VRT by engine cc |
| Heavy machinery | 0–4.5% | 23% | No VRT on machinery |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Importing a 30+ year classic to Ireland?
Vehicles over 30 years old pay a flat €200 VRT — whether it's a $15,000 pickup or a $150,000 Shelby — plus 0% duty under collector classification. We document the age and originality so Revenue applies the flat rate at first registration.
What We Ship to Ireland
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Ireland's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Ireland.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Ireland.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Ireland
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Ireland Routes
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Ireland Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
10–14 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Dublin · Cork.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Ireland. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) is assessed on the Irish open-market value with rates up to 41% by CO2 band, plus a NOx levy — and it sits on top of 10% duty and 23% VAT. On a modern car it's often the single largest cost, so we model it per VIN before you bid. Registration must be completed at an NCTS centre within 30 days of arrival, a deadline our Irish agents manage.
Yes, and it's one of Europe's best collector deals. Vehicles over 30 years old pay a flat €200 VRT regardless of value, import at 0% duty, and carry low historic road tax — so a six-figure Corvette pays the same €200 as a project pickup. That makes Ireland a top-three EU destination for valuable American classics. We document the age and originality so Revenue applies the flat rate at first registration.
Yes. Although Ireland drives on the left, left-hand-drive American classics and cars are fully legal to register and are prized by collectors. Registration runs through an NCTS centre within 30 days of arrival, and our Irish agents manage the appointment, VRT assessment, and paperwork so the deadline is never missed. We confirm any inspection requirements for your specific vehicle ahead of time.
Ocean transit from the U.S. East Coast to Dublin runs about 10–14 days, with weekly sailings; Cork serves the south on regular rotations. Add U.S. export loading and a few days for clearance and the 30-day NCTS registration window. We confirm the fastest route for your origin and prepare the VRT calculation alongside the schedule.
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