# Ireland (IE) **Capital:** Dublin **Currency:** Euro (EUR) (EUR) **Population:** 5,458,600 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 70,273 km² > Ireland is an EU and eurozone member with full customs union membership. Import VAT 23 per cent (reduced 13,5/9/4,8/0). Customs handled electronically via AIS (imports) and AES (exports) of the Revenue, EORI mandatory. Main ports are Dublin and Cork; significant pharmaceutical export hub. After Brexit, strong direct routes to the EU mainland via Rosslare; Northern Ireland trade governed by the Windsor Framework. Ireland (ISO code IE) lies in north-western Europe, occupying most of the island of Ireland, with a land border to Northern Ireland (UK) and coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea. It is a parliamentary republic and a member of the European Union and the eurozone. The economy is highly open and export-driven, led by pharmaceuticals, medical devices, machinery, chemicals, electronics and agri-food, while the country depends on imports for energy, raw materials and consumer goods. Strategic ports such as Dublin and Cork, together with the airports of Dublin, Shannon and Cork, anchor its logistics role. Since Brexit, direct ferry links from Rosslare and Dublin to continental Europe have grown strongly, reducing reliance on the UK land bridge, while the Windsor Framework governs trade with Northern Ireland. The currency is the euro (EUR). **Top Import Partners:** GB, US, FR, DE, CN **Top Export Partners:** US, BE, DE, GB, CH **Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Vehicles, Pharmaceuticals, Electronics, Chemicals **Top Export Goods:** Pharmaceuticals, Machinery, Chemicals, Food, Electronics **Key Airports:** - [Dublin Airport (DUB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/dublin-airport-dub) - [Shannon Airport (SNN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/shannon-airport-snn) - [Casement Aerodrome](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/casement-air-base-airport-2411) - [Cork Airport (ORK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/cork-airport-ork) - [Donegal Airport (CFN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/donegal-airport-cfn) - [Galway Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/galway-airport-eicm) - [Ireland West Knock Airport (NOC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/ireland-west-knock-airport-noc) - [Kerry Airport (KIR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kerry-airport-kir) - [Sligo Airport (SXL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/sligo-airport-sxl) - [Waterford Airport (WAT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/waterford-airport-wat) **Key Seaports:** - [Foynes (IE FOV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/foynes-port-ie-fov) - [Cobh (IE COB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/cobh-port-ie-cob) - [Cork (IE ORK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/cork-port-ie-ork) - [Dublin (IE MTL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/dublin-port-ie-mtl) - [Galway (IE GWY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/galway-port-ie-gwy) - [Limerick (IE LMK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/limerick-port-ie-lmk) - [New Ross (IE NRS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/new-ross-port-ie-nrs) - [Rosslare (IE ROE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/rosslare-port-ie-roe) - [Bantry (IE BTH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/bantry-port-ie-bth) - [Castletown Bearhaven (IE CTB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/castletown-bearhaven-port-ie-ctb) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** Standard rate 23 per cent on customs value plus duty **Customs complexity:** medium **Customs system:** EU Customs Code (UCC); national electronic import clearance via AIS (Automated Import System, since Nov 2020); EORI number mandatory, declarations via certified software. **Customs authority:** [Revenue (Office of the Revenue Commissioners)](https://www.revenue.ie) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** EU member / Pharma export hub / Atlantic gateway **Economic area:** EU / Eurozone **Logistics risk:** low **Dangerous goods relevance:** medium **Pharma/cold chain:** high ## FAQ ### What is the import VAT rate in Ireland? The standard rate is 23 per cent on the customs value plus duty. Depending on the type of goods, reduced rates of 13,5, 9, 4,8 or 0 per cent apply (e.g. certain foods, books, medicines). As of 2026. ### Which customs system does Ireland use? The Revenue Commissioners operate the Automated Import System (AIS) for imports and the Automated Export System (AES) for exports. Declarations are submitted electronically via certified software; an EORI number is mandatory. ### Are customs declarations required for trade with Great Britain after Brexit? Yes. Great Britain is a third country; imports and exports require full customs declarations. Trade with Northern Ireland is governed by the Windsor Framework. ### What are Ireland's main ports? Dublin Port is the largest port and handles around half of port traffic, followed by Cork. Rosslare Europort is central to direct routes to the EU mainland, as well as Shannon Foynes and Waterford. ### How is Ireland treated for customs purposes? Ireland is an EU member and part of the EU customs union and the single market. Trade with other EU states is duty-free; toward third countries the common EU customs tariff applies. ### Are there export controls for dual-use goods? Yes. The EU Dual-Use Regulation (EU) 2021/821 and, nationally, the Control of Exports Act 2023 apply. The competent authority is the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). ### What role does Ireland play in pharmaceutical logistics? Ireland is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical export locations. Temperature-controlled supply chains (cold chain) and air freight via Dublin are therefore very important. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.revenue.ie](https://www.revenue.ie) - [https://www.revenue.ie/en/vat/vat-rates/search-vat-rates/current-vat-rates.aspx](https://www.revenue.ie/en/vat/vat-rates/search-vat-rates/current-vat-rates.aspx) - [https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/businesses/electronic-systems/ais/what-is-ais/index.aspx](https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/businesses/electronic-systems/ais/what-is-ais/index.aspx) - [https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/businesses/electronic-systems/aes/index.aspx](https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/businesses/electronic-systems/aes/index.aspx) - [https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-pme/populationandmigrationestimatesapril2025/keyfindings/](https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-pme/populationandmigrationestimatesapril2025/keyfindings/) - [https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/trade-investment/export-controls/](https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/trade-investment/export-controls/) - [https://www.dublinport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DPC-Throughput-Statistics-Q4-2024.pdf](https://www.dublinport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DPC-Throughput-Statistics-Q4-2024.pdf) - [https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment-rights-and-conditions/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays/](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment-rights-and-conditions/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays/) *Last verified: 2026-07-19* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ie](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ie)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/ie](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/ie)*