Country Guide

Shipping Luggage to Ireland from South Africa

Shipping luggage and personal effects from South Africa to Ireland: Transfer of Residence relief, form C&E 1076, documents and timing.

WhatsApp 068 058 2700

Call Johannesburg 011 972 1111

Transfer of Residence relief

Used personal effects are free of duty and VAT if you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months, have owned and used the goods for at least six months, and intend to live in Ireland.

Timing

Goods can generally arrive up to six months before and 12 months after you move. Furniture less than six months old is taxable.

Cartons being checked against a delivery list

Documents

Passport, the Revenue Transfer of Residence form (C&E 1076), the airway bill, a signed inventory in English, and evidence of your move such as a lease and an employment contract. An EORI number may be needed.

Do not pack

Meat products, fresh food, plants and agricultural goods are prohibited.

Checklist

Documents for Ireland

South African citizens: a copy of your ID (customs wants the ID, not the passport)

Foreign nationals: a copy of your passport

If you ship for someone else, a copy of their ID or passport as well

A signed clearing instruction for customs, which we send you to sign

A valued inventory list of what is in each piece (complete it online)

Full addresses in South Africa and at the destination on the inventory

Contact details at the destination: telephone, mobile and email

Describe what is in every bag or box: many countries reject inventories that just say 'misc' or 'packed by owner'

Your visa or residence permit, and any customs relief form Ireland requires

Two Options

Door to Airport or Door to Door

Door to airport (CFR): recommended

Includes collection, customs clearance in South Africa, airline handling in South Africa and transport to the destination airport. You clear it and collect it at the destination.
Excludes destination clearance, depot or terminal charges at the destination, storage and examination fees if stopped, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Door to door (DAP)

Available to some countries only, and much more expensive. Includes collection, delivery to your door abroad, customs clearance in South Africa and at the destination, airline handling and all transport fees.
Excludes storage and examination fees if customs stops the shipment, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Our tip: save by clearing it yourself

Door to airport is by far the cheaper option. You pay the airline handling fee at the destination, process customs yourself with your passport and the inventory, and collect your baggage at the airport. Ask us for both prices and we will tell you what the destination's customs office will ask for.

Customs rules change. We confirm the current requirements for Ireland when we quote.

Questions

Shipping Luggage to Ireland: Questions

Tap a question to open the answer. For anything else, WhatsApp us.

Does the relief cover new goods?

Generally no. It covers goods you have owned and used.

Can I send my belongings before I arrive?

Yes, within the timing rules, but they are cleared once you can provide the documents.

How long does it take?

Air takes days to a couple of weeks; sea takes several weeks or more.

Collection

We Collect Across South Africa

More Destinations

Other Country Guides

Sending Luggage to Ireland?

WhatsApp 068 058 2700 with the number of pieces and your destination city.