Can I send documents and photos to Ireland?
Allowed
Yes.
Personal papers and photos are fine. Leaving Ireland, historic documents of national interest may need an export license.
More rules for Ireland
Not allowed
- Indecent or obscene prints, photos, books, and other articles, and child sexual abuse material
Allowed with conditions
- Plants, fruit, vegetables, cut flowers, seeds, soil, and timber
- From outside the EU, including Great Britain, they need a phytosanitary (plant health) certificate presented to the Department of Agriculture at entry. Bananas, dates, pineapples, coconuts, and durians are exempt.
Before you ship to Ireland
- Tax-free limit
- From another EU country there is no customs clearance and usually nothing to pay, and boxes from Northern Ireland also move with no customs declaration or duty. From outside the EU, including Great Britain, there is no longer a value below which a box is automatically tax-free: VAT applies from the first euro, and the €150 (about $175) customs duty relief ended on July 1, 2026. Gifts from one private person to another worth up to €45 (about $53) are still free of duty and VAT. Most online purchases worth €150 or less now pay a flat €3 (about $3.50) duty per item type until July 1, 2028.
- Receiver ID
- Revenue doesn't publish a tax number requirement for private individuals receiving personal boxes. Give the courier the receiver's phone number and email so it can arrange clearance and collect any charges.
- Transit
- 1-3 business days from the UK and EU; 2-5 from North America; 3-6 from Asia
Questions
Can I send documents and photos to Ireland?
Yes. Personal papers and photos are fine. Leaving Ireland, historic documents of national interest may need an export license.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Information on Personal Consignments in Luggage or through Postal, Courier & Online Services (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Revenue (Office of the Revenue Commissioners)
Prohibitions and restrictions (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)
Dangers of buying prescription medicines online (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Revenue (Office of the Revenue Commissioners)
Rules for duty relief on gift consignments (opens in a new tab) - 5.
Revenue (Office of the Revenue Commissioners)
Buying goods from outside the European Union (EU) (Excluding Northern Ireland) (opens in a new tab) - 6.
Citizens Information (Citizens Information Board)
Shipping your personal belongings back to Ireland (opens in a new tab) - 7.
Revenue (Office of the Revenue Commissioners)
What rules apply to the relief? (opens in a new tab) - 8.
Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex)
Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009 of 16 November 2009 setting up a Community system of reliefs from customs duty (codified version) (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Ireland makes the final decision on every box.