Republic of Ireland Customers

Why Republic of Ireland car buyers should import from Northern Ireland and NOT Mainland UK

Things you need to know...

Republic of Ireland car buyers could save thousands and without sacrificing specification or manufacturer’s warranty. At Saltmarine we have exported vehicles to hundreds of happy customers in the Republic of Ireland and we can help guide you through the entire process.

Once you have found a car you would like to purchase, the process can be completed within a single visit and we can even pick you up from the bus or train station.

So how do you import a used car from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland?

* For import purposes into the Republic of Ireland, a car is considered ‘used’ if it is over 6 months old and has more than 6,000 km’s (3,729 miles) on the clock.

 

The most important thing to consider is when and where the car was first registered.

  • All used cars registered from new in Northern Ireland are not liable for VAT.
  • Used cars registered in mainland UK and then reregistered in Northern Ireland for more than 6 months are not liable for VAT but you will be required to prove this.
  • All used cars registered in mainland UK are liable for VAT (Unless exported under a duty waiver).

This is why you should import from Northern Ireland and NOT Mainland UK.

The majority of used cars we sell at Saltmarine are either registered from new in Northern Ireland or have been reregistered for more than 6 months which means you will have no VAT or customs duty to pay.

What costs are involved?

All cars, irrespective of age or origin, are subject to VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax). You will be required to pay this and have the vehicle inspected at a NCT test centre. The rate of tax due is different for every vehicle and based on its open market selling price.

Additionally, a NOx charge was introduced on January 1st 2020 as a disincentive to import vehicles with higher emissions. NOx charges are calculated separately to VRT and are applied in addition to the calculated VRT charge.

A VRT calculator can be found on the Irish Tax and Customs website and will allow you to find out how much would be due on any given vehicle for both VRT and NOx.

VRT Calculator

 

Not all cars will offer a saving. Use the VRT calculator to find out how much the car you are interested in will cost to import and then compare that with the cost of sourcing the car locally.

Just remember to ensure that the car you are considering to import has been registered and used in Northern Ireland for more than 6 months (or was  exported under a duty waiver) to avoid paying VAT. You should also factor in the exchange rate into your calculations.

Do electric cars offer the best savings?

Yes! This is because there is currently €5,000 of VRT relief for used electric cars meaning that there are no VRT or NOx charges for cars with an Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) below €40,000.

If the vehicle's OMSP is over €40,000, the relief is reduced. No relief applies if the OMSP is above €50,000.

Hybrid cars also benefit from reduced VRT and NOx charges but the best savings are on EV’s.

At Saltmarine we always have a great selection of used and nearly new electric cars in stock and available for immediate delivery.

No VAT + No VRT + No NOx + No Customs Duty = No Brainer!

Electric Cars in Stock Hybrid Cars in Stock

Can you import new cars?

Yes, however in most cases there are no real savings as VAT will need to be paid in addition to VRT and NOx. If you wish to explore this option further you can contact us for more information.

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What happens next and are there any other costs?

When your vehicle has been processed by the NCT test centre you will need to pay your annual Motor Tax. This is no different to any other vehicle registered in the Republic of Ireland.

After you've paid the Motor Tax your registration certificate will be posted to you. The last step is to buy a set of Irish Number Plates. These typically cost about €20.

Will the manufactures warranty still be valid?

Yes, the remaining warranty from new will still be valid after exporting into the Republic of Ireland however the rules differ between manufacturers.

Hyundai

5 Year Unlimited Mileage Pan-European warranty. This means the warranty is equally valid on both sides of the border.

Mazda

6 Year 100,000 Mile Pan-European warranty* This means the warranty is equally valid on both sides of the border.


All other brands sold at Saltmarine including any vehicles out of manufacturer warranty will come with a universal 6 Month Warranty which starts from the date of delivery. This warranty is equally valid both North and South of the border.

*Mazda vehicles registered before 01.09.2025 come with a 3 Year Pan-European warranty.

Why choose Saltmarine Cars?

We are an independent family run business with years of experience selling cars to southern customers and can guide you through the export process. This leaves you to concentrate on finding the right car whilst safe in the knowledge you're getting a great deal.

Our cars are meticulously prepared and immaculately presented and if you need more information or a personal video our staff are happy to go the extra mile to ensure you have complete confidence in buying from us.

We also pride ourselves on providing exceptional levels of customer service, our moto being Saltmarine Cars, Saltmarine Cares.


Just a few of our happy southern customers...

Mr & Mrs Wall from Co. Kerry, collecting this fabulous Ford Focus Active from Used Car Centre Sales Executive, Mark Rowney.

Gordon Murray from Co. Kildare, collecting this fabulous Jaguar I-Pace from Used Car Centre Sales Manager, Colin Hutton.

David Doogan from Dundalk, collecting this fabulous Ford Puma St-Line X 1st Edition, finished in Magnetic Grey, from Used Car Centre Sales Manager, Colin Hutton.

Finding Us & Collection Service

Saltmarine Cars are located just off the M1 near Dungannon approximately 25 minutes from Belfast and about 2 hours from Dublin.

If you need any help on how best to get to our showroom via public transport or if you need directions just give us a call and we will guide you in.

If you are intending to drive your new car home, we can arrange to collect you from any of our local train or bus stations.

Contact Us

If you are still unsure about the import process or want to find out more about any of our vehicles please get in touch and a member of our team will be happy to assist.

Saltmarine Cars Dungannon +44 (0) 28 8772 3376

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Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and is intended to help Republic of Ireland customers understand the vehicle import process from Northern Ireland. Import rules, VAT, customs duty, VRT, NOx charges, motor tax, exchange rates, warranty terms and government reliefs may change and can vary depending on the vehicle, its age, registration history, specification and individual circumstances.

While Saltmarine Cars aims to keep this information accurate and up to date, we cannot guarantee that all details will remain current or apply to every vehicle or customer. Any VRT estimate provided is for guidance only, and Saltmarine Cars cannot guarantee that the estimate will match the final VRT charge issued by the NCT. Customers should independently verify all import costs, tax liabilities, registration requirements and warranty cover with the relevant authorities, including Revenue, NCT and the vehicle manufacturer, before purchasing or importing a vehicle.

Any savings, examples or cost references shown are for illustrative purposes only and should not be treated as financial, tax or legal advice. Saltmarine Cars accepts no responsibility for any loss, additional costs or liabilities arising from reliance on the information provided on this page.

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