Dublin's technology companies, the pharmaceutical and medical-device plants around Cork, the university in Galway and Limerick's industrial estates attract hundreds of families from Turkey to Ireland every year. Removals from Turkey to Ireland look a lot like a move to the UK, but two things are fundamentally different: the Republic of Ireland is a member of the European Union (its customs process is entirely separate from the UK's) and it is an island (your goods arrive either over the British "landbridge" or by direct ferry). REG Transport runs this corridor as a scheduled logistics link through our London depot: goods leaving Turkey travel on the weekly departure to London, cross to Ireland from there and are delivered to your address in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick or Waterford. This guide explains the route, Revenue's customs relief, the documents, the timings and what to expect city by city.
The Route: A Logistics Link to Ireland Through Our London Depot
Sending a dedicated truck straight from Turkey to Ireland is only economical for very large households. For most families the most efficient solution is to add the Irish consignment to the weekly Turkey–London departure and transfer it to Ireland from our London depot:
- Loading in Turkey: packing and loading at your home in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir or any other city; the goods are consolidated at our Istanbul depot.
- Turkey → London: weekly scheduled departure; transit through Europe, Channel crossing, arrival at the London depot.
- London → Ireland: the goods continue from our London depot through Britain and cross to Ireland by ferry. The T1 transit declaration required for passage through Britain is prepared.
- Customs and delivery in Ireland: the import declaration is lodged in Dublin, Revenue relief is applied, and the goods are delivered and reassembled at your address.
Total time from loading to delivery averages 20-30 days. For large volumes (over 30 m³) a dedicated vehicle can run directly from Turkey to Ireland on the Cherbourg–Dublin or Cherbourg–Rosslare ferry without entering Britain at all.
Irish Customs: Revenue's Transfer of Residence Relief
Because Ireland is in the EU, household goods arriving from Turkey count as an import into the EU; however, people transferring their normal residence to Ireland are exempt from customs duty and VAT under Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief. The application goes to the Irish Revenue Commissioners. The conditions:
- At least 12 months of residence outside the EU (in Turkey) before the move.
- The goods must have been owned and used for at least 6 months (new, tagged items do not qualify).
- The goods may not be sold, hired out or transferred for 12 months after arrival in Ireland.
- The goods must be imported within 12 months of transferring residence.
Documents required: passport, proof of residence in Ireland (tenancy agreement, employment contract, PPS number or IRP card), proof of 12 months' residence in Turkey (residence certificate, employer's letter, utility bills), a signed inventory and Revenue's C&E 1076 form. We help you complete the form and the declaration is lodged through a customs agent in Ireland. Items outside the relief (new furniture, commercial quantities) attract standard duty and 23% VAT; see our customs clearance page for support with those cases.
Removals to Ireland, City by City
Household removals to Dublin
The great majority of deliveries go to Dublin. In the centre (Dublin 1-8) Georgian buildings mean narrow stairs and no lifts; large sofas and beds may need to go in through a window, which we assess during the survey. Deliveries to detached houses in the suburbs (Blanchardstown, Tallaght, Swords, Dún Laoghaire) are simpler. A temporary parking permit from Dublin City Council may be needed for the lorry; we arrange it. Sharing the Eircode (Irish postcode) for every address speeds up delivery.
Shipping belongings to Cork
About three hours from Dublin on the M8. Douglas, Ballincollig and Carrigaline are frequent delivery areas for families working at the pharmaceutical and medical-device plants in Ringaskiddy. On departures via Rosslare, Cork can be delivered before Dublin.
Removals to Galway
On the west coast, 2.5 hours from Dublin on the M6. As a university city it sees many student and academic moves; we deliver regularly to homes in Salthill and Knocknacarra and to estates near the Parkmore technology park. For Galway's narrow city-centre streets the final delivery is planned with a smaller vehicle.
Limerick and Shannon
Castletroy and Raheen for people working in the Shannon free zone and Limerick's aerospace and industrial sites; two hours from Dublin on the M7.
Waterford, Kilkenny and beyond
Being close to Rosslare port, Waterford and Kilkenny deliveries are quick on the Rosslare route. Remote areas such as Sligo, Donegal and Kerry are also served, with 1-2 extra days planned.
Packing and Delivery Standard
With a sea crossing and two transfer points, packing matters particularly on the Ireland corridor. Furniture is wrapped in blankets and stretch film; glass, pictures and electronics go into wooden crates; mattresses get protective covers. Every carton is numbered on the inventory, which the Revenue declaration is based on. See our guide on how to prepare an inventory list. On delivery in Ireland furniture is reassembled and packing waste is removed.
Logistics to Ireland Beyond Household Goods
The same corridor carries commercial freight. For companies sending furniture, textiles, food and building materials from Turkey to Ireland we have weekly groupage capacity; under the Turkey–EU customs union an ATR certificate reduces duty on commercial imports to zero, leaving only Irish VAT. We run regular food consignments for Turkish restaurants and shops in Dublin, furniture shipping for manufacturers supplying Ireland and commercial freight for part loads. For a car coming from Turkey or an Irish-registered vehicle, see vehicle transport.
What Determines the Price
- Volume: priced per m³ for groupage; a one-bedroom flat is roughly 10-15 m³, a three-bedroom house 25-35 m³.
- Route: groupage via London is the economical option; a direct dedicated vehicle pays off at large volumes.
- City and address: central Dublin deliveries are priced differently from the suburbs because of parking permits and stair carries; remote areas such as Galway and Kerry add domestic haulage.
- Customs: only the declaration fee with relief; duty and VAT on items outside it.
- Insurance: CMR cover is standard; all-risk is particularly recommended on a two-transfer route (CMR vs all-risk).
Common Mistakes
- Treating Ireland as part of the UK and filing a ToR1 (HMRC) application; Ireland requires a Revenue application.
- Listing new items as "used"; Revenue may ask for invoices and the relief is withdrawn.
- Not sharing an Eircode; in rural areas the delivery vehicle can end up on the wrong lane.
- Being unable to prove 12 months' residence outside the EU; obtain residence and employer letters in Turkey before you leave.
Example Scenario: A Software Engineer's Family from Izmir to Dublin
18 m³ from a two-bedroom flat in Bornova is packed, brought to the Istanbul depot and leaves on the weekly departure to London. From London the goods cross to Ireland by ferry; Revenue relief is applied with form C&E 1076 and delivery to the apartment in Sandyford takes place on day 24, furniture reassembled. All the family does is hand over the documents and open the door.
Why REG Transport?
- A delivery link to Ireland through our London depot.
- Weekly scheduled departures, so no waiting for a date.
- A customs team experienced in Revenue ToR relief and T1 transit.
- Regular delivery experience in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
- See our Ireland page for scope and timings, and our guide to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland for the whole of the British Isles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does shipping from Turkey to Ireland take?
On average 20-30 days from loading to delivery for groupage via London; for large volumes a direct dedicated vehicle can be quicker.
Is a UK ToR1 valid for Ireland?
No. The Republic of Ireland is in the EU; the relief application goes to Irish Revenue on form C&E 1076. Northern Ireland (Belfast) is part of the UK and uses ToR1.
Do I pay UK duty while my goods pass through Britain?
No. The goods cross Britain under the T1 transit procedure; customs clearance happens only in Ireland.
Do you deliver outside Dublin?
Yes: Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny and remote regions included, to any address in Ireland.
Can I bring furniture I bought recently?
You can, but items under six months old fall outside the relief and attract duty and Irish VAT. We itemise this separately in the quote.
Does the service work for a small shipment?
Yes; a few cartons or a student's belongings travel as groupage on the weekly departure and are charged only for the space they take.
Let's Plan Your Move to Ireland
Share your destination city, Eircode and inventory, and receive a written quote the same day with the Revenue relief file and the routing via London. See international household removals for the scope of the service.
