Moving to Ireland

What are the different steps?

Your first step will be to find an international removal company that will be trustworthy. Most international moving companies will have contacts across the world in different countries to help ensure a smooth removal.

You want to make sure that the chosen company is reputable. Usually, those firms that are FIFI-FAIM affiliated or those that are part of the International Association of Movers (IAM) will be reliable. 

Once you get a shortlist together of potential moving companies, you will want to get quotes from them to see which is the most cost-effective without compromising on safety. Then you will need to look at taking out insurance for the move. The final step will be planning what items you are going to take with you and when and where they arrive in Ireland. 

How to choose your relocation company

It is important that you look at a few different variables when making a decision on the best removal company for your needs. Check out what professional affiliations they have, as well as online reviews from unbiased people who have used their services in the past. You can get in touch with those people who have also made the move to Ireland to see what removal company they used. 

Once you have a shortlist of reputable operators, then you can start to filter out the options through price by getting quotes. 

Fees

Factors affecting the price you will pay includes your desired shipping time, the volume and weight of your possessions, the destination in Ireland, and where you are shipping the items from. Shipping containers will be cheaper than Airfreight. You also have to factor in the likes of customs duties and taxes. 

If you are moving to Ireland from the United States, for example, a 20-foot shipping container may cost between EUR1,100-EUR2,700. Packing costs, insurance and storage will cost additional sums. The average rate for customs duties and taxes ranges between 5% and 9%. 

When it comes to insurance, this will not normally be included as part of the quote from the removal company. However, they usually have relationships with insurance companies to help with this. 

Some removal companies require you to have insurance, while some do not. It is always a good idea to write out a list of inventory of what you are shipping, the condition they are in and the value of the items. 

Things you can bring to Ireland

You should only bring items that you need to Ireland. You will need to factor in the costs of keeping your items in storage in your home country if you are only planning to stay in Ireland for the short term. 

It may also be cheaper to buy the likes of furniture and appliances in Ireland if you need to buy them at all. Moving is a great opportunity for you to clear out possessions you no longer need, such as clothes, electronics and gadgets. 

A good rule of thumb is to use the six-month rule. If you have not used something in the past six months, chances are that you don't really need it and it can be tossed. 

Forbidden stuff in Ireland

Each removal company will have certain items that they will not move overseas for you. This means you need to check out the list provided to you by the given company you are using. There are also Irish laws you need to consider. Here is a list of what you cannot bring into Ireland.