VRT Camper Van Ireland
Classic Import Guide

The UK has the largest supply of classic campervans in the English-speaking world. Historically, importing from the UK was the default route for Irish buyers. Post-Brexit, it can still work — but the cost calculation is now a VRT, customs, VAT, registration, inspection and insurance handover exercise. This guide shows the checks to run before you buy, so the cheap van on a UK advert does not become an expensive Irish paperwork problem.

Overview

Three cost layers now apply when importing a vehicle from the UK to Ireland:

1. Customs duty: 6.5% on the vehicle purchase price (for passenger vehicles, including campervans).
2. VAT: 23% on the customs value (purchase price + shipping + customs duty). This is the biggest new cost post-Brexit.
3. VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax): Calculated on the Irish Open Market Selling Price (OMSP), not simply the purchase price. Revenue assigns the vehicle to a VRT category before the amount is finalised.

Customs duty post-Brexit

Since January 2021, vehicles imported from Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) are subject to customs duty. Northern Ireland remains part of the UK customs territory for goods moving to Ireland under the Windsor Framework — but vehicle registration rules are more complex. This guide covers GB imports.

The customs duty rate for passenger vehicles (CN code 8703) is 6.5%. This is calculated on the transaction value — the price you actually paid, plus shipping costs to Ireland.

VRT explained

Vehicle Registration Tax is an Irish tax that predates Brexit. It applies to all vehicles being registered in Ireland for the first time, whether imported from the UK, the EU, or elsewhere. It is calculated on the Irish Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) — Revenue's assessment of what the vehicle would sell for in the Irish market, independent of what you paid.

For classic campervans, Revenue uses specialist valuations and comparable Irish market sales. On a well-restored VW T2, the OMSP can be significantly higher than the UK purchase price — meaning the VRT charge can be substantial.

Revenue's VRT manual treats motor caravans within Category B, but the practical rate depends on the vehicle category and emissions evidence Revenue accepts. Many older motor caravans fall into the higher Category B band, but do not assume the rate from a forum post or seller estimate. Check the current Revenue VRT category guidance, use the Revenue VRT calculator where possible, and keep copies of the evidence used for the calculation.

Two Irish figures matter more than the UK asking price: the OMSP Revenue applies and the final vehicle classification. If a van has been converted, modified, or partly restored, Revenue may ask for evidence of the conversion, specification, date of manufacture and condition. That is why pre-buy photos, conversion invoices and restoration receipts are not just nice history documents — they can affect registration conversations.

Calculating your full cost

Example planning calculation for a VW T2 Bay Window purchased in the UK for £25,000 (approximately €29,000 at a round working exchange rate):

In this example, a van purchased for €29,000 in the UK costs approximately €44,350 to land and register in Ireland before any inspection remedial work. The actual numbers will vary depending on exchange rate, shipping, customs treatment, OMSP assessment, category, emissions evidence and legislative changes.

Buyer-risk checks before you travel

Do the paperwork audit before you book the ferry or transporter. Ask for the V5C, chassis/VIN photographs, engine number where visible, conversion certificate or invoice history, MOT history, rust photographs underneath, pop-top or roof paperwork, and a written receipt naming the seller and price. If the seller cannot provide basic identity and registration evidence, the Irish saving can disappear quickly.

For restored classics, separate the vehicle's story from proof. "Restored" can mean anything from a cosmetic respray to a shell rebuild. A stronger file includes dated photographs, invoices for welding and paint, engine or gearbox paperwork, interior conversion evidence and a valuation note. This same pack will help when you speak to a restorer, insurer or VRT agent in Ireland.

Step-by-step import process

1. Purchase and documentation: Buy the vehicle and secure the original V5C registration document, any service history, conversion paperwork if relevant, VIN photographs, restoration evidence and a detailed receipt showing the purchase price.
2. Customs declaration: File the import declaration with Revenue before or on arrival in Ireland. Use a customs agent if you are unfamiliar with the process; the fee is usually cheaper than fixing a bad declaration afterwards.
3. Pay customs duty and VAT: These are payable at the point of customs clearance.
4. Pre-VRT inspection booking: Book the NCTS VRT appointment promptly after arrival. NCTS guidance says the inspection appointment should be made within seven days of the vehicle entering the State, and Revenue states that imported motor vehicles must be registered within 30 days of entry except where held by an authorised trader.
5. VRT inspection: The NCT centre inspects the vehicle and Revenue issues the OMSP and VRT amount. You can appeal the OMSP if you believe it is assessed too high — provide comparable Irish sales evidence.
6. Pay VRT and register: Pay VRT and receive your Irish registration plates. The vehicle is now registered.
7. Insurance and NCT: Arrange Irish insurance once the vehicle has an Irish registration, and check whether any temporary cover applies before plates issue. If it is a restored classic, read the classic campervan insurance guide before choosing market-value cover. The NCT is separate from the VRT appointment.

Vintage vehicle exemptions

Vehicles over 30 years old may qualify for vintage treatment for Irish motoring purposes, but age alone is not a substitute for correct registration evidence. Check current Revenue guidance before assuming any VRT concession, motor-tax treatment or ZV plate option applies to a particular campervan. A modified conversion, missing age proof or unclear identity can complicate what looked simple in an advert.

Common pitfalls

• Not calculating costs before buying: The most expensive mistake. Use Revenue's online VRT calculator and get a customs duty estimate before agreeing a price.
• Missing the 30-day VRT deadline: You must present the vehicle for VRT inspection within 30 days of arrival. Missing this incurs penalties.
• Buying from a private seller without full documentation: Always get the original V5C. A vehicle without V5C is very difficult to register in Ireland.
• Importing a vehicle with outstanding UK finance: Check for outstanding HP/PCP finance before buying. The HPI check (available from UK services) will show this.
• Category misclassification: A campervan converted from a commercial van may attract different VRT rates than a passenger vehicle. Clarify the category with Revenue before importing.
• No specialist inspection before purchase: If you cannot inspect the van yourself, ask an Irish restorer or conversion specialist what they would check. The specialist directory is a starting point for due diligence, not a booking recommendation.
• Insuring only after the deal is done: Talk to a broker before purchase if the van is modified, high-value, imported, left-hand drive, garaged away from home or only partly restored. Insurance refusal after purchase is a serious practical blocker.