How to Ship from the US to Ireland: Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction

Ireland is a small but prosperous island nation of approximately 5.1 million people on the western edge of Europe, with deep cultural and economic ties to the United States. Over 30 million Americans claim Irish ancestry, making Ireland one of the most popular destinations for personal shipments from the US. Ireland is also home to the European headquarters of many major American technology and pharmaceutical companies, driving significant business-to-business shipping between the two countries.

As a member of the European Union, Ireland follows EU customs regulations and tax rules. The Republic of Ireland (not to be confused with Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom) uses the euro and applies EU Common Customs Tariff rates. The EU IOSS system applies to Irish imports, and all goods imported from outside the EU are subject to VAT regardless of value since July 2021.

An Post, Ireland's national postal service, handles last-mile delivery for USPS and other postal shipments. Ireland's compact geography and well-maintained road network mean that once a package clears customs, delivery throughout the country is typically fast and reliable. Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick are all well-served by all major carriers.

Best Carriers for Shipping to Ireland

USPS (United States Postal Service)

USPS offers the best value for lightweight personal shipments to Ireland. Priority Mail International delivers in 6 to 10 business days, First-Class Package International Service handles items under 4.4 pounds in 7 to 21 days, and Priority Mail Express International delivers in 3 to 5 business days. An Post provides efficient last-mile delivery throughout Ireland.

UPS

UPS Worldwide Express delivers to Ireland in 1 to 3 business days, with Worldwide Saver at 2 to 3 days and Worldwide Expedited at 3 to 5 days. UPS has a strong presence in Ireland and provides reliable customs clearance through Dublin. Their tracking system works seamlessly for the entire journey.

FedEx

FedEx International Priority delivers to Ireland in 2 to 3 business days, with International Economy at 3 to 5 days. FedEx operates direct transatlantic flights and has efficient Irish customs processing. FedEx is particularly popular for business shipments between US and Irish offices.

DHL Express

DHL Express Worldwide delivers to Ireland in 2 to 4 business days. DHL's European network provides excellent connectivity and reliable customs clearance. Their express service is well-suited for both personal and commercial shipments.

Shipping Costs and Transit Times

Estimated costs for a 5-pound package from the US East Coast to Dublin:

Ireland's compact size means no remote area surcharges for most locations. Using atoship commercial rates provides savings of 40% to 89%.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

Ireland follows EU customs regulations as an EU member state.

EU Import Tax Rules

Since July 2021, all goods imported into the EU from non-EU countries are subject to VAT regardless of value. The previous 22-euro VAT exemption was eliminated. However, goods valued at or below 150 euros (approximately $165 USD) remain exempt from customs duties. Above 150 euros, both customs duties and VAT apply.

IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop)

If you purchase from an IOSS-registered seller, VAT is collected at checkout for orders under 150 euros, and the package enters Ireland without additional charges at the border. For non-IOSS shipments, An Post or the carrier collects VAT from the receiver before delivery. An Post charges a handling fee of approximately 3.50 euros for collecting customs charges on behalf of Revenue (the Irish tax authority).

Customs Duties

EU Common Customs Tariff rates apply to goods valued over 150 euros:

Irish VAT Rates

Ireland's standard VAT rate is 23%. Reduced rates apply to certain categories:

The 0% VAT on children's clothing and footwear and on books is a significant benefit for shippers sending these items to Ireland. These items are not subject to any VAT at the border.

Required Documentation

Standard documentation includes a commercial invoice or customs declaration (CN22/CN23 for postal), detailed item descriptions and values, HS tariff codes, country of origin, IOSS number if applicable, and the receiver's Eircode (Irish postal code) for accurate delivery.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Ireland prohibits the import of controlled drugs and narcotics, firearms and ammunition without license, offensive weapons, indecent or obscene material, meat and dairy products from non-EU countries (EU food safety regulation), plants and plant material without phytosanitary certificates, endangered species products, counterfeit goods, and products not meeting EU safety standards.

Restricted items include medicines requiring HPRA (Health Products Regulatory Authority) authorization, food supplements requiring FSAI notification, alcohol subject to excise duties (very high in Ireland), tobacco products subject to excise duties, cosmetics requiring CPNP notification, electronics requiring CE marking, and drones requiring IAA registration.

Ireland has among the highest excise duties on alcohol in the EU. A bottle of wine incurs approximately 3.81 euros in excise, while spirits face 42.57 euros per liter of alcohol. Shipping alcohol to Ireland is legal but extremely expensive when duties and taxes are included.

Packaging Tips for International Shipments

Ireland's maritime climate brings frequent rain and humidity. Use moisture-resistant packaging and waterproof tape. Standard international packaging practices apply: sturdy boxes, individual item wrapping, void fill, and H-pattern taping.

Irish addresses use Eircode, a 7-character alphanumeric postal code (such as D02 AF30 for central Dublin). Including the Eircode on the address label significantly improves delivery accuracy, especially in rural areas where house numbering may be inconsistent. Include the county name in the address as well.

For rural Irish addresses that may not have standard street names, include as much location detail as possible, such as townland names and directional references, which An Post staff use for delivery.

Tracking and Insurance Options

All carriers provide tracking to Ireland. USPS tracking transfers to An Post, which provides reliable updates through their tracking portal. An Post is one of the more digitally advanced postal services in Europe, with SMS and email notifications available for incoming packages.

USPS includes up to $200 insurance with Priority Mail Express International. Private carriers offer declared value coverage up to $50,000. Ireland's postal system is reliable with low rates of package loss, but insurance is recommended for high-value items.

How to Save on International Shipping

Use atoship for commercial rates at 40% to 89% below retail pricing. Keep shipment values at or below 150 euros to avoid customs duties. Take advantage of Ireland's 0% VAT on books and children's clothing to ship these items duty and tax-free. Use USPS for lightweight packages for the best value.

Consider using IOSS-registered platforms for purchases to prepay VAT and avoid An Post's handling fee for customs charge collection. Consolidate items into single shipments to reduce per-package costs and handling fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping from the US to Ireland take? Express services deliver in 1 to 5 business days. Economy services take 7 to 21 days. Customs clearance adds 1 to 3 business days.

Do I pay duties on all packages to Ireland? VAT at 23% applies to most imports regardless of value (with exceptions like books at 0%). Customs duties apply only to goods valued above 150 euros. Under 150 euros, you pay VAT only.

Are books tax-free when shipped to Ireland? Yes, Ireland applies 0% VAT to books. Printed books valued under 150 euros can enter Ireland with no duties and no VAT. This is one of Ireland's most favorable import categories.

Can I ship meat or dairy to Ireland? No. EU regulations prohibit the import of meat and dairy products from non-EU countries for personal use. These items will be confiscated and destroyed at the border.

What is An Post's handling fee for customs charges? An Post charges approximately 3.50 euros to collect customs duties and VAT on behalf of Revenue. This fee is avoided if VAT was prepaid through IOSS.

Is Northern Ireland the same as Ireland for shipping? No. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and has different customs rules. While the Northern Ireland Protocol maintains some EU customs alignment, you should ship to Northern Ireland using UK customs rules and carriers. This guide covers the Republic of Ireland only.