The process of moving all of your belongings to a different country can seem a bit daunting. Therefore, it is important that you properly research the various options available to you to help with a seamless transition over to Ireland.Ìý
What are the different steps of relocating to Ireland?
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.Ìý
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.Ìý
How to choose your relocation company when moving to Ireland
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 which removal company they used.Ìý
Once you have a shortlist of reputable operators, you can start to filter out the options by price by .Ìý
Packing your belongings when relocating to Ireland
It's a lot of work to move your life's possessions from one country to another. At a time when stress levels are already high, how you prioritise what to bring and how you pack will have an impact on your overall moving experience.
Start by subdividing the belongings in your home and wardrobe into five categories:
- Bring
- Store
- Sell
- Donate
- Recycle
It can be really helpful to use coloured stickers to identify each category. Storing your items while you are living in Ireland is going to be an ongoing cost, so consider what you include carefully.
If your shipping company doesn't provide packing supplies, it's a good idea to invest in the best quality you can afford. Remember, when your items are being shipped, they may well be in a large container with other items, so you need to ensure they are well protected. Wrap any breakables with bubble wrap or similar material and place them in sturdy containers before putting them into cardboard boxes. Then mark these boxes clearly as fragile.
Allow space at the top and bottom of every box for extra packing, and wrap individual items so they don't chip or break by hitting each other. There are likely to be a number of weeks between packing and unpacking boxes. Make finding what you need in your new home easy by labelling or numbering boxes with exactly what they contain.
How much does it cost to ship your belongings to Ireland?
Factors affecting the price you will pay include 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 air freight. You also have to factor in the likes of customs duties and taxes.Ìý
If you are moving to Ireland from the United States, for example, a 20-foot shipping container may cost between  €1,100 and €2,800. Packing costs, insurance and storage will be additional.
You may also have to pay and VAT on your items. Customs duty is a tax on the import of goods. It is normally calculated as a percentage of the goods' value.ÌýIf you're shipping your personal belongings from an EU country, you do not have to pay any extra VAT or customs duty in Ireland. This is because you already paid VAT and duty in the EU member state where you bought the goods.
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.Ìý
Some removal companies require you to have insurance, while others do not. It is always a good idea to make an inventory list of what goods you are shipping, the condition they are in and the value of the items.Ìý
Things you can bring to Ireland
You should only bring items that you need for 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.Ìý
It may also be cheaper to buy things such as 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.Ìý
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.Ìý
Pack hard-wearing, durable clothes and shoes that you can mix and match. Consider a sturdy pair of hiking shoes, comfortable trainers, some warm jumpers or cardigans, and of course, a good raincoat. Key to fitting a lot into a small space are packing cubes. They keep your clothes more compressed, so you can fit more into your luggage.
Forbidden items 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 removal company you are using. There are also Irish laws you need to consider. Here is a .Ìý
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
