Imports from the U.S. to Ireland were valued at $24.35 billion in 2024, and bringing in goods from the U.S. continues to represent a great opportunity for Irish companies and entrepreneurs who can gain access to materials and products that are not available at home or in other countries in the EU. It is expected that this trade figure will remain at a similar value or higher when the data is available for 2025. Emerald Freight has vast experience in helping Irish companies to import goods from the U.S. along with countries from all around the world. We value strong relationships that allow us to provide our clients with the logistics solution when importing goods into Ireland.

There are some great opportunities out there for people wishing to import from the U.S., but it is important that you make the right choices. Your supplier can make a difference, missing or inaccurate documentation can cause delays, and poor logistics can cause havoc to your plans. Choosing a reliable freight partner goes a long way to a smooth process when importing goods from the U.S. to Ireland.

Reasons to Import from the U.S. to Ireland

As one of the main trading partners of Ireland, the U.S. brings with it a high volume of goods across myriad sectors, such as technology, machinery, fashion, and pharmaceuticals. You’ll have access to creative and innovative products of a high quality. Some of the advantages of importing from the U.S. to Ireland include:

Access to exclusive products – the U.S. leads and innovates in many industries. In some cases, there are products and items in the U.S. that are in high demand in the EU due to unavailability here. If there is high demand for a product that is available in the U.S. but not in Ireland, you have a competitive advantage to get in early and to import the goods.

Competitive prices – for EU companies, some U.S. companies and products are more competitively priced than what they can find in Ireland, the UK, or other EU countries. In technology, fashion, and machinery this is especially the case. If you target these types of lower-costs goods in the U.S. and combine it with a logistics strategy that works, the profit margins can be significant.

High quality standards – there are strict quality controls in healthcare, electronics, and the automotive industries that make U.S. products in these areas attractive to some Irish companies. It ensures that international and EU standards are met and there is reliability of the product.

Diversification – importing from the U.S. allows you to diversify your product range. Diversifying is always a good idea, as it reduces the dependence on suppliers and potential supply chain risks if you only import from one location.

Popular U.S. Sectors for Imports to Ireland

Some of the most popular imports to Ireland from the U.S. in recent years include planes, helicopters, crude petroleum, vaccines, toxins and cultures, blood, and antisera. Other areas include high-performance vehicles and components, construction, manufacturing, and energy technology, innovative and unique beauty products and cosmetics formulations, supplements, and pharmaceutical products.

Steps to Import to Ireland from the U.S.

It’s important that you have a clear strategy and plan of action when it comes to importing to Ireland from the U.S.

Identify suppliers and profitable products – look at various sectors in the U.S. from B2B marketplaces, trade fairs, industry events, and the US Chamber of Commerce and other directories of manufacturers. From here, you can look at specific products that might be profitable for your company, finding the right suppliers that meet regulatory and certification standards for EU sales.

Choose the transportation method – this is where our expert team is here to help. There are two main types of transport from the U.S. to Ireland, sea freight and air freight. Sea freight is the perfect option for large volumes of product, with LCL (where you smaller consignment is grouped with others) and FCL (a full container load of your goods) providing robust transportation. Air freight is for urgent, sensitive goods and items that can be delivered quickly without compromising on security standards.

Whichever type of transportation method you choose, our team will go through your plan thoroughly and match you with the best logistics partner to meet your budget and safety needs. Your goods will arrive safely and securely, within the time frame that you wish.

What Documentation Do You Need When Importing from the U. S. to Ireland?

One of the most important areas of importing to Ireland (or any EU country) from the U.S. is to have the correct documentation. A common cause of delays and additional costs relating to customs clearance is inaccurate or missing information. One of the things that we help with, as expert freight forwarders, is to ensure that your documentation is present, accurate, and up-to-date. Documentation to import from the U.S. includes:

  • Commercial invoice – a commercial invoice and packing list will specify in detail the content of the consignment, the value and the origin of goods.
  • Bill of lading or Air waybill – this is a transport document that certifies the shipment.
  • Certificates of Conformity – CE certification may be required depending on the product in question. You may also require FDA certification for medical devices and food or ISO standards.
  • SAD – a Single Administrative Document is required to determine duties, tax, and compliance before a shipment can pass customs in Ireland.
  • EORI Number – a necessary part of documentation for any company that is doing business outside of the EU.

Import to Ireland from the U.S. with Emerald Freight

For companies or individuals aiming to import from the U.S. to Ireland, it’s important that you completely understand what is expected of you. At Emerald Freight we have a wealth of experience in providing our Irish clients with the information, connections, and support that allows for the efficient and secure transportation of goods from the U.S. to Ireland. We have over 40 years of experience, and as the top freight forwarder in Ireland, we know how to get your goods to you, no matter where in the world they are coming from.

When you connect with a freight expert such as our team, we’ll immediately begin the process of matching you with the correct air freight or sea freight, LCL and FCL, door-to-door, or express shipping options.