Cost to Move to Ireland from the USA
Ireland prices as mainland Europe rather than as the UK, and the reason is traffic: it is a smaller market, so there are fewer direct sailings and a shared container waits longer to fill. For a small shipment that wait is the single biggest difference between an Irish quote and a British one.
What it costs
Door-to-door sea and air freight ranges from New York to Ireland, by home size. Ranges include origin services, freight, destination services and routine clearance. They are planning figures, not quotes — a firm price needs a survey of your home.
| Home size | Sea freight | Air freight |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,200 – $5,000 | $6,400 – $14,000 |
| 1 bedroom | $4,500 – $7,500 | $9,000 – $21,000 |
| 2 bedrooms | $7,000 – $12,000 | $14,000 – $33,600 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,000 – $16,000 | $20,000 – $44,800 |
| 4 bedrooms | $13,500 – $22,000 | $27,000 – $61,600 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $18,000 – $30,000 | $36,000 – $84,000 |
Some carriers route US freight for Ireland through a UK or continental hub and tranship it, which adds a week or so but can be cheaper than holding out for a direct sailing. It is worth asking explicitly whether a quote is direct or transhipped, because the two are not the same product.
Price your own move — pick your origin city and home size and the calculator will give you a range in a few seconds, with no contact details required.
How long it takes
Expect 5–7 weeks door to door from the East Coast. Direct sailings are less frequent than to Britain, so the consolidation window at origin is what usually stretches the timeline rather than the crossing itself.
Customs and duty
Transfer of Residence relief (Revenue)
Ireland grants relief from duty and VAT on used household goods under its own Transfer of Residence scheme, administered by Revenue and claimed on form C&E 1076. The usual conditions apply: normal residence outside the EU for at least 12 months, goods owned and used for at least six months before the move, and retained for 12 months afterwards. A dated, valued inventory is expected. Getting a PPS number sorted early is worth doing anyway — it is needed for almost everything else in Irish life — though it is not itself a customs requirement.
Customs requirements change and are applied at the discretion of the authorities at the border. Treat this as orientation, not advice — confirm current requirements with your moving company or the destination’s customs authority before you ship.
What you cannot ship to Ireland
- Meat and dairy from outside the EU are prohibited, the same rule as the rest of the bloc.
- Ireland's plant-health controls are strict for an island: soil, plants and untreated wooden garden items attract attention.
- Firearms need a licence from An Garda Síochána arranged in advance.
- Alcohol is dutiable and is not covered by transfer-of-residence relief.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to ship to Ireland via the UK?
Sometimes, and your moving company may quote it that way without saying so. Transhipping through Southampton or Rotterdam gets your goods moving on a more frequent sailing at the cost of an extra handling step and roughly a week. For a small LCL shipment it is often the better deal; for a full container, a direct sailing usually wins.
Do I need a PPS number before my goods arrive?
No. The customs relief runs on the C&E 1076 and your evidence of residence abroad, not on a PPS number. You will want one quickly for banking, tax and utilities, but do not delay a shipment over it.
How much does it cost to move a one-bedroom apartment to Dublin?
By sea, a one-bedroom shipment from the East Coast typically lands in the mid four figures door to door. The calculator on this site will give you the current range for your own origin and home size in a few seconds.
What will your move to Ireland cost?
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