Ireland customs regulations

Duty-free allowance

When travelling within EU

There are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco a traveller can bring in within the EU. The goods must be for personal use or as a gift and they must have had duty and tax paid in the EU country where they were acquired. Customs officials may require proof of intent if more than all the following is imported.

Tobacco limit

• Restricted to travellers 17 years and over;
• 800 cigarettes;
• 400 cigarillos (max 3g each);
• 200 cigars;
• 1kg smoking tobacco.

Bringing alcohol

• Restricted to travellers 17 years and over;
• 10 litres of spirits over 22%;
• 20 litres of alcoholic beverages, other than either wine or beer, less than 22% volume;
• 90 litres of wine (with a maximum 60 litres of sparkling wine);
• 110 litres of beer.

When travelling from outside the EU

If entering the EU from outside, passengers may bring with them duty-free goods for personal use within the limits set out below. The same applies if coming from the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar or other territories where EU rules on VAT do not apply.

Tobacco limit

Restricted to travellers 17 years and over. One of the following:

• 200 cigarettes;
• 100 cigarillos;
• 50 cigars;
• 250g of smoking tobacco; or
• or a proportional combination of these goods (such as 100 cigarettes and 50 cigarillos).

Alcohol (restricted to travellers 17 years and over)

Restricted to travellers 17 years and over. One of the following:

• 1 litre exceeding 22% alcohol volume;
• or 2 litres up to 22% alcohol volume.

In addition, both of the following:

• 4 litres of still wine;
• and 16 litres of beer.

Cash limit

• There are no restrictions on the importation of currency into the EU.
• Funds of more than €10,000 must be declared to the customs authorities.

Other Goods free from duty

• Medicines for personal use.
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to €430.
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to €215 for travellers under 15 years of age.

It is important to be aware that the above monetary allowances do not apply to any individual item of value exceeding the relevant limits. If an item is worth more than the relevant limit of €430 or €215, import charges must be paid on the full value.

Prohibited items

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Certain plants and plant products from outside the EU.
• Offensive weapons, such as knuckledusters, flick knives, and machetes.
• Goods which may be used for torture.
• Indecent articles, publications, videos, and other media.
• Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, and other media.
• Child pornography.
• Counterfeit currency and goods.
• Dangerous drugs.
• Live or dead animals from outside the EU.
• Poultry, birds or eggs from outside the EU.
• Most meat and dairy products from outside the EU.

Restricted items

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• All animals and animal products are subject to a mandatory health inspection at the first point of entry on EU territory. Pets such as cats and dogs must also have a microchip or tattoo, and have been properly vaccinated against rabies. A Common Veterinary Entry Document certifying the healthy inspection must be provided with the customs declaration. Pets travelling within the EU must have a valid pet passport.
• Plants and plant products are subject to certain restrictions, particularly if they are arriving from outside the EU. For further information, please visit the Controls on the Importation of Plants and Plant Produce into Ireland from Third Countries, and Guide to EC Plant Passport System.
• Narcotic and psychotropic substances may only be brought to Ireland with a licence from the Minister for Health.
• Endangered animals, plants, and their derivative products protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) may require protected species permits. For further information, please visit the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
• Radioactive substances require a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Firearms require a licence issued by the Department of Justice and Equality.
• Explosives and pyrotechnics are strictly controlled, and require a licence issued by the Department of Justice and Equality.
• Books and periodical publications which have been prohibited under the Censorship of Publication Acts require a permit issued by the Minister for Justice and Equality.
• Rough diamonds require a Kimberley Process Certificate.
• Archaeological objects require a licence from the National Museum of Ireland.
• Meat, milk and other dairy products for personal consumption are allowed from EU countries and Andorra, Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland.
• Meat and dairy products are not allowed from non EU countries except Croatia, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland.