It is easy to assume that goods sent from the UK to Ireland always carry Customs Duty. The real answer depends on where the goods are coming from, where they were made or sufficiently processed, and whether the import meets the conditions for a preferential tariff. Import VAT and customs declarations are separate questions, so a shipment can have no Customs Duty and still require an import declaration and VAT. This guide explains the difference for imports into Ireland. Rules

When goods arrive in Ireland from outside the EU, you may see several different charges on the customs paperwork or courier notice. Customs Duty, import VAT and Excise Duty are separate charges, and each follows different rules. Knowing which one applies can help you understand a customs bill and prepare for an import before it reaches Ireland. The amount due depends on the product, its customs value, its origin and the customs procedure. This guide explains the difference in

Every import declaration needs an accurate description of the goods. A commodity code turns that description into a standard customs classification. For Irish importers, the code can affect the customs duty calculation and whether additional trade measures, licences or controls apply. Choosing a code from a short product name alone can lead to the wrong result. This guide explains what HS, CN and TARIC codes mean, what information to gather, and where to check a code before y

You order something online for €40. A few days later, An Post tells you there is another amount to pay before the parcel can be delivered. Where did that figure come from? It is a common question because an An Post customs charge is rarely based on one simple percentage. Depending on the parcel, the final amount can include Customs Duty, Irish VAT and an An Post administration fee. From July 2026, the calculation for lower-value eCommerce parcels changed again. A further EU c

Receiving a parcel from a family member abroad can seem straightforward. It is a gift, nobody bought it from an online shop, so surely there should be no customs charge? Sometimes that is correct. Sometimes it is not. Irish customs rules provide relief for certain gifts coming into Ireland from outside the European Union, but simply writing “gift” on a parcel does not automatically make it free from Customs Duty or VAT. There are specific conditions, value limits and declarat

Importing goods into Ireland without the correct customs declaration can create serious problems. The goods may be delayed, held at a port or depot, inspected, returned to the sender, or seized in more serious cases. The importer may also face extra charges, unpaid duty and VAT bills, storage fees, penalties, and questions about how the shipment entered the country. A missing customs declaration is not usually treated as a small paperwork mistake. Customs declarations are a l

Customs clearance in Ireland can be quick when everything is prepared properly. In many straightforward cases, goods may clear within a few hours. For more complex shipments, it can take a day or two. If documents are missing, commodity codes are wrong, duty or VAT details are unclear, or the shipment is selected for inspection, the process can take longer. That is the honest answer. The frustrating part is that there is no single fixed clearance time that applies to every sh

If you are importing or exporting goods into or out of Ireland, you will almost certainly come across the term EORI. For many people, especially first time importers, it feels like yet another confusing piece of paperwork in an already complicated process. But the truth is, an EORI number is one of the most important parts of customs clearance. Without it, most shipments simply cannot be processed by Irish customs. Whether you are a business importing stock, an individual bri

Importing a car into Ireland often sounds straightforward at first. You find a vehicle abroad, agree a price, arrange transport, and expect to collect it once it lands. Then reality kicks in. Customs duty, VAT, paperwork, timelines, inspections, and registration all appear at once. For many people, the biggest surprise is how quickly the extra costs add up. The question almost everyone asks is simple. How much customs duty and VAT will I need to pay? The answer depends on whe

If you have ever imported goods into Ireland, whether it was a single parcel, a vehicle, or a full container, you will know that customs clearance is rarely as simple as people expect. One of the first questions that comes up, usually before the goods even arrive, is how much a customs agent actually costs. Some people hear figures that seem reasonable. Others hear stories that make it sound expensive and unpredictable. The truth sits somewhere in between. Customs agent fees

Most people only learn about customs paperwork when something goes wrong. A shipment arrives, then stops. The courier says customs need more information. Revenue ask a question that seems simple, yet answering it suddenly feels complicated. At that point it becomes clear that customs clearance in Ireland is not about one form, it is about telling a consistent story through documents. Every import into Ireland has to explain three things clearly. What the goods are. Where they

There is something slightly confusing about customs work in Ireland. Anyone who has ever tried to import a car, a container of stock, or even a few pallets from the United Kingdom soon realises that customs charges and agent fees are not always clear from the start. People hear a variety of figures, everything from small service fees to duty charges that seem to come out of nowhere. It often leaves individuals and business owners wondering how the entire thing actually works

When it comes to importing or exporting goods, few things are as crucial as a smooth customs clearance process. One mistake, one wrong code, or one missing document can delay your shipment for days or even weeks. That is why working with the right customs clearance agent is essential. Across Ireland, businesses large and small rely on experienced customs agents to make sure their goods move efficiently through ports, airports, and borders. From handling import declarations to

Customs clearance can be stressful, especially for people and businesses trying to move goods across borders for the first time. There are endless forms, strict deadlines, and complex rules that often change without notice. At Green Routed Freight Ltd, we have built our name on making this process simple, fast, and accurate. We help clients across Ireland with import and export declarations, vehicle imports, and all aspects of customs and excise work. What we are most proud o

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