Customs Requirement for Sending Internationally

Sending to a non-EU country

Receiving country requirements 

All items (including gifts) posted from the Republic of Ireland to a country outside the European Union (including Great Britain) must be presented to the Customs authorities in the receiving country.

Irish Customs requirements 

If you export goods to non-EU countries (including Great Britain), An Post may need to complete a customs declaration on your behalf. This is known as Advanced Electronic Data (AED). This customs declaration must be made electronically through Revenue’s Automated Export System (AES). You can provide customs electronic declaration data at your local post office or online using Click & Post. The corresponding CN23 label must be affixed when sending good(s) of any size or value to non-EU countries. 

The following documents must be available, if requested by Revenue at the time of clearing your goods:

• invoice
• export licence.

Please ensure any good(s) sent are not prohibited or restricted for air travel.

If you send good(s) to non-EU countries using Click & Post or your local Post Office, you must provide the following for the customs electronic declaration data:

• Senders name, address and contact details
• The name and address of the recipient
• A detailed description of the contents of the item(s)
• Quantity / Number of Units
• Net Weight
• Value of the item/contents
• Category of the item(s)
• Reason for Export
• Postage / shipping cost

Insufficient data may result in the item being returned to the sender, if rejected by the receiving Customs authorities.                          

Data may also be shared by An Post with Irish Revenue when it is appropriate and necessary to do so, i.e., for consignments above €1000 or subject to prohibitions and restrictions.

Sending within the EU

When sending within the EU, an Aviation Security Declaration, must be attached to all letters, packets or parcels containing goods sent within the EU, excluding Northern Ireland. This is to ensure compliance with airline security regulations. See the full list of prohibited items which cannot travel by air.

You must describe the contents of the item fully and accurately and include your name, address and signature.

A preview of the Aviation Security Declaration can be found below: 

Sending to Ireland from non-EU countries

When sending an item to Ireland you will need to supply complete electronic customs data according to Irish Customs regulations.

The minimum mandatory electronic data that is required is: 

• A valid HS/TARIC Code, use our online tool to find the correct TARIC Code for your items

• A valid item description 

• Country of origin 

• Item value 

• Postage, insurance, freight paid 

• Sender name, address details 

• Addressee name, address 

• Packet/parcel weight 

You should also ensure the items you are sending are not regarded as prohibited/restricted by An Post. You can do so by reviewing the list on our prohibited items page.

Sending gifts to Ireland from non-EU countries

An Post recommends that those sending gifts into Ireland from non-EU countries use their local postal providers online sending solution where available. This allows you to complete all the required electronic customs data requirements, to ensure your parcel can be cleared with ease upon arrival into Ireland 

Gifts may be eligible for relief from Customs Duty and Value-Added Tax  (VAT) if the intrinsic value is €45 or less and certain conditions are met. For full details on the rules and allowances, please refer to the Revenue Website.