Customs and Excise
Briefly, in the words of one American friend who moved here some years ago: “as little as possible.”
Apart from clothing and some personal items, everything else you will need can be sourced in Ireland. The trauma and cost involved in shipping all of your household belongings across the Atlantic is probably not justified. However, if you do want to move everything, there are some things to bear in mind. To start, remember that the average-sized Irish home is smaller than you are used to. So you will need to decide if you want to bring any or all of your furniture. If you are bringing electrical goods, you will need to buy transformers in the United States to take account of the different current in Ireland.
Use your airline allowance to the maximum, although you will probably find it will not be enough for all your clothing. Use FedEx or UPS for other essential items, as they can normally make deliveries to Ireland within 3-4 days. If you are planning on bringing all your furniture, crockery, and so on, then you will need to plan well in advance. Shipping goods across the Atlantic can take 5-6 weeks.
There are hundreds of relocation/shipping agencies throughout the United States that will ship to Ireland. Although it will be time-consuming, the best place to begin your search for a mover is in the shipping/freight-forwarding section of your local telephone directory. Choose at least three companies that can provide all the services you need. You will need to decide just exactly what you want done. Will you want them to pack for you, provide packing materials, pick up your consignment, handle customs clearance, arrange for delivery, and maybe even unpack? Arrange a time for each of them to visit your home, consider the options, and prepare an estimate.
You will need to use discretion on what to ship overseas. Unlike a domestic move, when you are likely to take everything, you need to consider the economics involved. For example, apart from the fact that the electrical system in Ireland is different, do you really want to take an aging freezer or washing machine with you? How much do they weigh and what will it cost? Will you be able to get them modified or serviced in Ireland?
My American friend certainly regrets shipping over her king-sized bed. She's searched in Waterford, in Cork city—she's even made a special shopping trip to Dublin. But she still cannot find king-sized sheets to fit. Although “king-sized” beds are sold in Ireland, they are anything but king-sized in American terms.
If you have not yet decided on the location of your permanent new home, you may have to consider putting some of your goods into storage on arrival. Check with your chosen freight forwarder to see if it can organize this for you.
