Moving from United States to Ireland is a container sea-freight corridor with a typical door-to-door transit of 3–5 weeks. A two-bedroom household of roughly 18–22 m³ usually lands between $7,400 and $9,400 on a full-service basis, calculated from route distance, regional handling costs and shipment volume.
On arrival, Ireland applies Transfer of Residence relief (C&E 1076) under EU customs framework (jurisdiction-specific). Import VAT in Ireland is 23%, and relief is what keeps your household goods out of that charge. Shipments normally arrive through Dublin or Cork.
This page covers what actually changes on the United States → Ireland route: what you will pay, how long the shipment is at sea, the paperwork Ireland customs expects from a departure in United States, and what to do about pets, a vehicle and somewhere to live when you land.
Departures from United States normally load at New York / New Jersey, Savannah, Houston. Household goods leaving the US move under an ocean carrier booking filed with US Customs at least 24 hours before loading. Personal effects shipments are normally filed by your forwarder; you sign a power of attorney authorising them to act. Video or in-home surveys are widely available across the continental US; crews are typically scheduled 2–4 weeks ahead. The corridor covers roughly 3,560 nautical miles.
| Home size | Estimated volume | Typical method | Door-to-door range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Few Items | 3–5 m³ | LCL groupage (shared container) | $3,100–$4,000 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | 8–12 m³ | LCL groupage (shared container) | $4,900–$6,300 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | 18–22 m³ | 20-foot container (sole-use FCL) | $7,400–$9,400 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | 28–32 m³ | 20-foot container (sole-use FCL) | $8,000–$10,000 |
| 4+ Bedroom Home | 45–60 m³ | 40-foot high-cube container (FCL) | $11,000–$14,500 |
Ranges are calculated from route distance, shipment volume and regional handling costs. This is an estimated relocation cost for planning purposes, not a binding quote. Final pricing is confirmed by a vetted international moving partner after a survey.
Booking & packing lead time
4–6 weeks in peak season (May–September), 2–3 weeks off-peak
Port-to-port sailing
3–5 weeks
Clearance & delivery
3–5 weeks typical clearance window in Ireland
Shipments from United States are treated as an import from outside Ireland's customs territory. The requirements below apply, and the supporting evidence customs will ask for — proof of address, residence history, ownership records — must be documents issued in United States.
Transfer of Residence relief (C&E 1076) — EU customs framework (jurisdiction-specific)
Relief from import duty and 23% import VAT on used household goods is available under the EU transfer-of-residence rules, but it must be applied for — it is not automatic. In Ireland, the filing is handled through Irish Revenue Commissioners.
Conditions
Documents from United States
Rules vary by destination and may also depend on your country of origin, immigration status and circumstances. This guide is educational and is not legal, tax or customs advice.
Open the full customs guideIreland grants Transfer of Residence relief through the Revenue Commissioners, waiving duty and the 23% standard VAT rate on used household belongings imported from outside the EU.
Find furnished temporary housing through our AltoVita partnership.
MyExpatGo helps connect you with temporary housing options. Availability is subject to AltoVita and provider inventory — MyExpatGo does not guarantee or book accommodation.
Ireland is a moderate-complexity pet destination, regulated by Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). Allow 1–2 months of preparation before departure from United States. Quarantine: 0 days.
Ireland pet import requirementsVehicle Registration Tax applies unless ToR relief is granted; the car must be registered at an NCT centre within 30 days. Right-hand traffic conversion of headlamps is required. A vehicle registered in United States may need conformity, lighting or emissions work before it can be road-legal in Ireland.
Vehicle import guide
Nobel Relocation
Family-run, FAIM-certified US mover with East Coast hubs in Miami, Atlanta and Maryland.
Orphee Beinoglou
Greece's leading specialist in relocation, fine art and exhibition logistics — trusted since 1923.
Atlas International Movers
Dutch-Swiss international removals group with 40+ years of door-to-door household, corporate and office relocation experience.
Argo Mobility
Boutique Romanian mover offering single-point-of-contact door-to-door household, vehicle and office relocations.
Asian Tigers
Asia's leading relocation group with 14 country offices across the region's primary commercial centres.
Partners do not pay to be part of the matched network. How we vet partners.
Tell us what you are shipping and we will match you with vetted movers who run this corridor. Free, no obligation, and partners never pay for placement.
