Shipping times and costs from United Kingdom to Ireland

Shipping from
United Kingdom
Shipping to
Ireland
Shipping times
1 - 3 Days by air
1 - 3 Days by sea

1 Bedroom flat

Shipping costs by air £983 - £1,087
Shipping costs by sea £516 - £571

3 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £794 - £878

5 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £1,191 - £1,317

The cost of shipping is all dependent upon how much you need to ship, and how far. Read up on all you need to know about international shipping to your chosen country.

Please note: the prices listed here are meant as an estimate only. The best way to get a comprehensive, tailored quote is to fill out our form and be matched with a supplier.

Shipping Container Costs to Ireland

Ireland is a jolly green gem surrounded by water. The Emerald Isle’s rolling hills and warm hospitality have been charming visitors for centuries. Situated between Great Britain and the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland is home to a dramatic coastline, countless mountains and quite a lot of rain. About 4.8 million people live in the country, but over 25% of them reside in the capital city of Dublin. The Irish are famous for their wit, humour and good conversation (known as the craic), and the best place to find it is in a traditional Irish pub.

If you want somewhere a bit less mainstream than Dublin, there are lots of other great cities, including Cork, Galway and Limerick. Meanwhile, for the best of Ireland’s iconic scenery, pay a visit to Killarney National Park or the towering Cliffs of Moher. Check out all the practical information you need to know about shipping your belongings to Ireland below.

To receive free shipping quotes, simply fill in this quick form and our trusted suppliers will get back to you.


Different shipping options

As Ireland is an island, there are just two options when it comes to sending your stuff over there: air freight and sea freight.

Air freight offers speedy service at a high price. Send your stuff on a cargo plane from anywhere in the world and it will reach Ireland in one or two days. However, it’s much more expensive than sea freight, so it’s inadvisable unless you’re really in a rush.

Sea freight is the slower, cheaper option. A container ship can’t travel as fast as a cargo plane, but if you’ve got the time to spare then you’ll save loads of money. It’s best to plan your move abroad well in advance so that you can make use of sea freight.

If you do opt for sea freight, you’ll use either a 20ft container or a 40ft container, depending on the amount of stuff you’re shipping. You don’t need to be able to fill a whole container; if the total volume of your cargo is below around 15 cubic metres, you can share the use of a container with other people. This is known as Less Than Container Load (LCL). Most of our suppliers offer a full door-to-door shipping service, which comes at a higher cost than port-to-port but it’s a lot more convenient.

Major shipping routes

The biggest container terminal in Ireland is the Port of Dublin, situated halfway down the East coast and dealing with nearly 50% of the country’s trade. It’s located in the heart of Ireland’s road and rail network, making the rest of the country very accessible. The other major container terminal is the Port of Cork, located on the South coast. It’s very likely your container will be shipped to one of these two ports, before going by truck or train to your new Irish home.

Ireland customs

Your shipping company will help you through the customs process, so you won’t have to deal with all the paperwork on your own. You need to create an inventory of all the goods you’re bringing into Ireland, being as accurate and specific as possible. If the customs officials have any doubts or uncertainties about what’s coming into their country, they have the right to open and physically inspect your belongings. See below for an idea of the items that are restricted or prohibited at the Irish border.

Customs duties and taxes all depend on where you’re coming from. If you’re moving to Ireland from within the EU, you can bring household goods into the country duty free. If you’re moving from outside the EU, you must pay customs duties unless you meet certain conditions. You must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months before your move to Ireland, and your household goods must be a) used, b) at least six months old and c) intended for use in your new Irish residence.

For more information, check out Ireland’s official customs website.

Shipping Container Options

20Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
33 Cubic Meters
5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £794 - £878

Get a quote for a 20ft container
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  • Boxes
    16 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedrooms
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

40Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
67 Cubic Meters
12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £1,508 - £1,668

Get a quote for a 40ft container
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  • Boxes
    28 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedroom
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x car, 1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

Car shipped by sea freight

Max Dimensions: 5.75m x 2.2m x 2.2m (l x w x h)

Base Price: £246 - £272

Quarantine & Taxes: £1,000 - £2,500

Price: £2,894 - £6,128

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Unusual Restricted Items

Tobacco Products
Any tobacco products are banned.
Flammable and Explosive Items
Any flammable and explosive items are banned.
Firearms and Ammunition
Any firearms and ammunition are prohibited.
Cannister
Self-defence sprays e.g. pepper spray and CS gas are banned.
Perishable Foodstuffs
Any perishable foodstuffs are banned.
Electronic Equipments
Any electronic equipments are banned.