Ireland Import & Export Toolkit

Ireland is a global pharma, medtech and tech exports hub. This hub covers LC cost in EUR/USD, EU tariff mechanics, 23% VAT and Revenue Customs AIS clearance.

Currency

EUR (Euro)

VAT

23% standard, 13.5%, 9% and 0% reduced

Charged on CIF + duty. Postponed accounting is standard - VAT declared on the VAT3 return, not paid at border.

Duty regime

EU Common Customs Tariff with EU-wide FTAs. Ireland is fully in the EU customs union.

Free calculators for Ireland trade

LC Cost Calculator →

All-in bank charges on a Letter of Credit.

Usance LC Interest →

Deferred payment cost with correct ACT/360 or ACT/365 basis.

Import Duty & Tax →

Duty, VAT/GST and landed cost per HS code.

Landed Cost by HS & Country →

Interactive duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this destination.

CIF ↔ FOB Converter →

Convert between CIF, FOB and landed cost.

HS Code Lookup →

Search harmonised classification codes.

CBM & Container →

Volume, weight and container utilisation.

Incoterms 2020 Visualiser →

Cost, risk and document split across all 11 rules.

Multi-Currency Invoice →

FX spread and cross-currency invoice value.

Major ports & gateways

· Dublin Port - Ireland's #1
· Cork (Ringaskiddy - pharma)
· Rosslare - land-bridge to EU via France/Belgium ferry
· Shannon-Foynes

Key trading partners· 7 linked toolkits

Top exports

· Pharmaceuticals & biotech
· Organic chemicals
· Medical & surgical instruments
· Computer services (in services accounts)
· Dairy products
· Beef

Top imports

· Aircraft (aircraft leasing)
· Pharmaceutical inputs
· Petroleum products
· Machinery
· Vehicles
· Electronics

Trade finance in Ireland

· EUR LC usance uses ACT/360.
· AIB and Bank of Ireland offer full LC services; global banks (Citi, HSBC, BNP Paribas) have strong Dublin trade finance teams driven by aircraft leasing and pharma flows.

Customs & duty in Ireland

· Ireland uses EU CN 8-digit. AIS (Automated Import System) is the ICS2-compatible clearance platform.
· Post-Brexit: UK trade is treated as third-country trade - EU-UK TCA gives 0% duty on qualifying origin, but customs declarations required.

Incoterms 2020 practice in Ireland

· CIF Dublin / Cork for containerised imports. DAP / DDP dominates intra-EU road freight via UK land-bridge or direct Ireland-EU ferry.

HS commodity guides for Ireland

Classification, duty and worked landed-cost examples for the commodity families most active on Ireland's trade lanes.

HS 85Electronics

HS Code for Electronics (Chapter 85) →

HS 84Industrial

HS Code for Industrial Machinery (Chapter 84) →

HS 30Regulated

HS Code for Pharmaceuticals (Chapter 30) →

HS 2709Energy

HS Code for Crude Oil (HS 2709) →

HS 2710Energy

HS Code for Petroleum Products (HS 2710) →

HS 72Metals

HS Code for Iron & Steel (Chapter 72) →

HS 61 & 62Consumer goods

HS Code for Textiles & Apparel (Chapters 61 and 62) →

HS 31Agricultural

HS Code for Fertilizers (Chapter 31) →

Ireland's key trading partners

China toolkit →

Import VAT · 13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services

United States toolkit →

No federal VAT / GST · 0% federal

United Kingdom toolkit →

VAT · 20% standard, 5% reduced, 0% zero-rated

Germany toolkit →

VAT (Umsatzsteuer / Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) · 19% standard, 7% reduced

Netherlands toolkit →

BTW (VAT) · 21% standard, 9% reduced

India toolkit →

IGST on imports · 5% / 18% / 40% (GST 2.0, 22 Sep 2025)

Frequently asked questions

How has Brexit affected Ireland trade?

UK goods now need full customs declarations at the Irish border (though the Windsor Framework simplifies NI-GB movements). EU-UK TCA gives 0% duty on qualifying origin, but rules of origin must be met and declared.