In order to enter Ireland, certain goods are subject to specific controls and, regardless of their value and quantity, they require the consent of Ireland government, preferably, license must be obtained prior to passage through the customs, preventing the goods from being retained. On this page, you will see what kinds of items are prohibited from entering the Ireland, and which items need special documentation before exporting to Ireland.
Import regulations
Senders should determine import restrictions from Irish authorities before posting:
- Animals and animal products
- Animals or vegetable fast and oils
- Anti-parasite products
- Beverages, alcoholic fluids
- Books and periodical publications
- Bees
- Cereals
- Firearms and explosives
- Fruit, nuts and vegetables
- Lotteries etc.
- Meat and meat products
- Medicines
- Milk and milk products (dairy)
- Narcotics
- Organic chemicals
- Plants and parts of plants
- Pharmaceutical products
- Precious metals, stones and pearls
- Poultry and products
- Precious metal products
- Sugars
- Sealskin products
- Tobacco
- Television recievers
- Video Recordings
- Weapons
- Wood (coniferous)
- Wool
Special documentation requirements
Ireland requires an import permit for many goods. Before posting any item, senders should confirm that the addressee has any necessary permit. Commercial goods require an invoice. Senders should show on customs documentation:
- the location of the invoice – enclosed or despatched separately
- the name, weight, value and origin of the goods.
Gifts
For gifts, senders should mark customs documentation gift package. Goods of a total value not exceeding 45 EUR which are sent as bona fide gifts by a private individual in a country outside the EC for the personal or family use of a private individual in the State, will be admitted free of customs duty.
Prohibitions
In addition to items prohibited by Dangerous and Prohibited Goods & Packaging Post Guide and ECI International Courier Regulations, Ireland prohibits:
- Abortion Kits
- Animals, live
- Authors’ rights, infringements of
- Citizens’ band radios with AM capability
- Coins, illegal weight standard
- Dairy produce, birds eggs and natural honey
- Fish and crustaceans
- Fur skins and artificial fur, manufactures thereof
- Government markings, false
- Indecent and obscene books and cards
- Lottery tickets
- Organic chemicals
- Pharmaceutical products
- Printed articles; books, newspapers and other products of the printing industry- offensive by nature
- Paper or materials treated with oils or varnishes
- Seal pup’s skins
Transporting food of any kind is prohibited under ECI Platinum.