Moving from the US to Ireland: customs, papers and what you can't pack

Bringing your things in duty-free

Transfer of residence relief: you lived outside the EU for 12 months in a row and owned and used each thing for at least 6 months, with tax paid where you bought it. Things can arrive from 6 months before to 12 months after your move. Sell, lend or hire them out within 12 months and the import charges become due.

The papers customs wants

• Form C&E 1076, with an inventory giving quantity, description and current value in euros — every page signed
• Proof of your residence abroad, such as utility bills or a lease
• Proof of the move, such as tickets
• Proof of your Irish residence
• Receipts, if you have them
• Email it all to the arrival port or airport two weeks before the shipment lands

Inspection and clearance

Revenue may inspect at the port — or at your home for large shipments — at your cost. You or an authorized agent can submit.

Don't pack these

• Alcohol and tobacco beyond normal traveler allowances
• Meat, milk and fish products must be declared
• Medicines, firearms, plants and animals must be declared
• Cash of €10,000 or more must be declared.

Bringing a car

Covered by the relief. Vehicle Registration Tax relief is a separate application.

Bringing a dog or cat

A 15-digit ISO microchip, put in on or before the rabies shot. Wait 21 days after a first rabies vaccine. No rabies blood test is needed coming from the US. Your vet fills in the EU health certificate (the new form in use since 1 October 2026), USDA endorses it — $101 per certificate, any number of pets — and the pet must arrive within 10 days. Five pets or fewer, traveling within 5 days of you.

Dogs: tapeworm treatment 1 to 5 days before arrival.

Tell the Department of Agriculture before you arrive, through its online portal, and arrive through Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Ringaskiddy or Rosslare.

XL Bully-type dogs can't be imported.

Duty and tax on everything else

Customs duty depends on what the item is — look it up by item in the EU tariff (TARIC). Import VAT is charged on top of duty.

VAT is 23%. Carried in your luggage: €430 of goods free; over that, duty and VAT apply to the whole amount.