Japan → Ireland · Grade 4 and Above
Import Japanese Cars
to Ireland.
Tell us the car you want. We find a grade 4+ example across Japan, inspect it and ship it to an Irish port —
with the VRT figure and the paperwork to register it.
For 15 years, we supplied the top car dealers around the world. Now we're going direct — offering you that experience to import a top-quality car from Japan and ship it to Ireland.
Why Japan
The world's best source
for Irish car imports.
Three structural advantages that make Japan the standout choice — especially since February 2026.
Since February 2026
0% Customs Duty
The EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement reached its final phase on 1 February 2026. Japan-built cars — Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru — now enter Ireland at exactly 0% customs duty. The same rate as UK-built cars, with none of the Brexit documentation risk.
Low Mileage · Grade 4 and Above
Exceptional Quality
Japanese owners drive far less than Irish ones, so cars come to market at low mileage. Most never see a salted road, and we check the underbody on every car. We only export grade 4 and above.
No Conversion Needed
RHD & Hybrid Range
Japan drives on the left — every car is right-hand drive and compliant for Irish roads with no conversion. Toyota Aqua, Prius, Corolla, Honda Jazz: hybrids in the low VRT bands, imported direct from Japan.
8–12 Weeks · Japan to Irish Port
We find it, inspect it and
export it to an Irish port.
Need help with clearance? We guide you at every step and support you through clearing the car at the port.
Find
We search dealers and auctions across Japan for your car, grade 4 and above, and inspect it before your money moves.
Ship
Your car is loaded onto a RoRo vessel and shipped to an Irish port, under marine cover and live-tracked from the moment it leaves Japan. Our quote covers the car and the freight to that port.
Clear
We prepare the customs declaration, the VRT figure and the NCTS pack. The entry and registration are in your name, as the car's owner, and we support you through clearance at the port.
Collect
You collect the car at the Irish port, or arrange your own transport onward from there. The complete document pack — condition report, inspection, bill of lading and the clearance file — is in your hands before the vessel docks.
The Numbers
Your budget is the landed cost,
not the car price.
We find the best car that fits it, and itemise every euro before you commit.
Illustrative Example
Japan-Built Hybrid Import
3-year-old Toyota hybrid, average mileage
In your Providence quote
Paid by you to Revenue
Irish Forecourt Equivalent
€22,000 – €26,000
Same model, same age, same spec — from a dealer in Ireland.
Your Potential Saving
€4,000 – €8,000+
After duty, VAT, VRT and freight — on a lower-mileage, grade 4+ car you see inspected before you pay.
Figures are indicative. Actual VRT is charged on Revenue's OMSP and varies by model, year, and mileage. You get a full landed-cost breakdown before you authorise the purchase. Learn more about how much it costs to import a car to Ireland or the cheapest cars to import, or see how these charges are calculated for every source country.
Extended by Budget 2027 — Until 31 December 2028
Up to €5,000 VRT Relief on Electric Vehicle Imports
Battery EVs pay the lowest VRT rate (7%), zero NOx levy, and qualify for up to €5,000 VRT relief — if registered by 31 December 2028. Budget 2027 extended the relief by two years, and the date that counts is registration in Ireland, not purchase or shipping.
Free · No Commitment
Tell us exactly what
you want to import.
We'll come back with a full landed-cost breakdown — our price for the car and freight to an Irish port, plus the duty, VAT and VRT you'll pay Revenue — before you commit a single euro.
Import to Ireland — Your Questions Answered
Everything you need to know about importing a Japanese car to Ireland with Providence.
The Import Process
How long does the full import take?
Typically 8–12 weeks from inquiry to an Irish port: 1–2 weeks to find and inspect your car in Japan, then 6–10 weeks at sea. Clearance, the NCTS appointment and VRT follow on arrival, in your name, with every document prepared first.
What is NCTS and do I need to do anything for it?
The National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is where imported vehicles are registered in Ireland and VRT is assessed. Every imported vehicle must be registered within 30 days of arrival, with an NCTS appointment booked within the first 7 days. We prepare every document it needs and give you the VRT figure well before you get there. The booking, the registration and the VRT payment are in your name, as the car's owner, and we take you through each step.
Do I need to be present for any part of the process?
Not for the sourcing or the shipping — we do those, and you get updates throughout. From the Irish port onwards, the customs entry, the NCTS appointment, the VRT payment and collection are in your name, as the car's owner. We prepare every document and stay with you through clearance.
What documentation will I receive with my car?
You receive the car's condition grade and inspection report, full vehicle history, Certificate of Conformity with WLTP CO2 and NOx data, and the Bill of Lading — everything your customs entry, the NCTS appointment and your registration require, prepared and checked before you need it.
Can I track my car during shipping?
Yes. Once your car is loaded onto the vessel, you receive a live tracking link showing its real-time position from Japan to an Irish port. Our team also sends milestone notifications: sourced, inspected, loaded, in transit, and arrived at the Irish port.
Safety & Quality
What condition grade do you export?
Grade 4 and above only, on Japan's independent auction grading scale, where Grade 5 is close to new and Grade 4 is excellent. You see the grade and our inspection report before we ship anything.
What mileage should I expect on a Japanese import?
Japan's shaken inspection regime and high vehicle turnover mean cars are traded at relatively low mileage. A 3–8 year-old Japanese hybrid typically has 30,000–70,000 km — often well below what you'd find on an equivalent Irish used car of the same age. We target average mileage for the best balance of price, condition, and VRT efficiency.
How do I know my money is safe?
We have 15+ years of trading history supplying the dealerships Irish buyers already trust. Payment is held securely until your vehicle is confirmed and cleared for shipment. Every car is covered by comprehensive marine insurance for the voyage, to the Irish port of arrival, and we provide a full paper trail from purchase through to landing.
What if the car doesn't arrive in the condition described?
Every vehicle undergoes a full independent pre-export inspection before leaving Japan. You receive the condition report, photographs and grade before we authorise shipping. If anything doesn't match the agreed specification, we don't ship it — full stop. Our reputation is built on 15 years of verified shipments.
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