🇮🇪 Import Customs & Duties: Ireland
Quick Facts
Duty-free threshold
$0
Duty applies from $0
VAT / Sales Tax
23%
CIF value + duty. Reduced 13.5% for fuel, building services, restaurant services. Reduced 9% for newspapers, e-publications. Zero rate for food, children's clothing, books, medicines.
Clearance Time
1-3 days
typical processing
Duty Rates by Category
| Category | Duty Rate | HS Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 0-3.7% (smartphones 0%, laptops 0%, TVs 14%) | HS 85 |
| Clothing | 12% (knitted garments 12%, woven shirts 12%) | HS 61-62 |
| Footwear | 8-17% (leather shoes 8%, sports shoes 16.9%) | HS 64 |
| Food products | 0-26% (meat 12.8%, dairy 9-36%, tea 0%) | HS 01-24 |
| Machinery | 0-4% (industrial machinery 0%, pumps 1.7%) | HS 84 |
| Cosmetics | 2.5-6.5% (perfumes 6.5%, skincare 2.5%) | HS 33 |
| Books | 0% | HS 49 |
| Toys | 0-4.7% (video game consoles 0%, dolls 4.7%) | HS 95 |
Rates shown are for standard goods. Exact rate depends on the HS code of your item.
Import Duty Calculator
Customs Clearance Process
Revenue Online Service (ROS) for traders and customs management. AIS (Automated Import System) for electronic declarations. Dublin Port and Shannon airport are main entry points. An Post handles postal customs. Very efficient for express shipments. IOSS for VAT from €0 since July 2021. Northern Ireland Protocol affects some goods movements.
What to Actually Expect
Highly efficient EU customs. Revenue Online Service is well-designed and modern. Express shipments clear same day. An Post parcels typically 1-2 days. Post-Brexit: UK parcels now go through customs, a major change for Irish shoppers used to easy UK ordering. Ireland is a major tech hub, customs very familiar with electronics imports.
Required Documents
Commercial Invoice
Item description, quantity, value, sender and receiver details
Packing List
Detailed description of contents in each package
Customs Declaration (CN22/CN23)
Required for postal shipments
Air Waybill (AWB)
Generated by the carrier when booking the shipment
Certificate of Origin
May be required for reduced duties (FTA/preferential rates)
Export/Import License
For restricted goods (electronics, medicines, chemicals)
Import License Requirements
EU-standard licensing. Required for agricultural quotas, dual-use goods, weapons. Strong enforcement on alcohol and tobacco excise. Post-Brexit: goods from UK (except Northern Ireland) require full customs declarations. FSAI (Food Safety Authority of Ireland) for food imports.
Certificate of Origin
Issued by Chambers Ireland. EUR.1 movement certificate for EU FTA partners. REX system for registered exporters. Windsor Framework affects goods movements between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Learn more →Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited
- xNarcotics and illegal drugs
- xExplosives and flammable materials
- xWeapons and ammunition
- xCounterfeit goods
- xCounterfeit currency and documents
Restricted (permit required)
- !Medicines and pharmaceuticals
- !Food and beverages
- !Plants and seeds
- !Electronics (lithium batteries)
- !Perfumes and cosmetics (volume limits)
Useful Links
Duty & Tax Estimate
Estimated import charges when shipping goods to Ireland:
| Goods Value | Duty | VAT/Tax | Total Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $2 | $12 | $14 |
| $100 | $4 | $24 | $28 |
| $200 | $8 | $48 | $56 |
| $500 | $21 | $120 | $141 |
| $1000 | $42 | $240 | $282 |
Estimates only. Actual duties depend on product category and HS code.
Popular routes to Ireland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duty-free threshold for Ireland?
Ireland has no duty-free threshold. All imported goods are subject to duties regardless of their value.
What is the VAT rate on imports to Ireland?
The VAT/tax rate on imports to Ireland is 23%. VAT applies to: CIF value + duty. Reduced 13.5% for fuel, building services, restaurant services. Reduced 9% for newspapers, e-publications. Zero rate for food, children's clothing, books, medicines.
How long does customs clearance take in Ireland?
Typical customs clearance in Ireland takes 1-3 days. Express shipments usually clear faster.
What documents are needed to import into Ireland?
To import into Ireland, you typically need: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and customs declaration. Some goods may require a certificate of origin or import license.
What items are prohibited from import into Ireland?
Ireland prohibits the import of narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, certain animal products, and hazardous materials. Restrictions may also apply to alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and certain electronics.