Understanding how to export medicines from Ireland to other countries around the world is a challenging and often complex undertaking. If you deal with the export of medicines, working with a freight forwarder with experience and know-how is crucial. At Emerald Freight we have a team of experts, matching your needs with the right choice from our trusted global network of logistics partners.

The State of Irish Pharmaceutical Exports

The value of Irish goods exports in 2024 was up by 14%, a record €223.8 billion. Medical and pharmaceutical trade made up a big proportion of that, rising by 29% from the year before to a value of €99.9 billion, or 45% of the total number of Irish goods exported overseas. This trend has continued in the first quarter of 2025 with a surge in Irelands goods exports to the US in particular, due to a demand for weight loss drugs.

How to ship pharmaceuticals abroad from Ireland

The challenges that are linked to transporting pharmaceuticals mean that in many cases a road carrier is favoured. This method of transportation does offer a robust level of security, especially for full truckload (FTL) options where medicines are stored securely and delivered direct to the destination. For some pharmaceuticals and medicines however, there is a requirement to ship speedily, reaching its destination as quickly as possible. In these cases, air freight is an option, and sea freight in some instances. This is achieved through dedicated refrigerated containers.

Whatever the choice of transportation method, via land, air, or sea, it’s important to have clear tracking information and communication so that you know where your goods are at all times along the route. This is where a well-organised supply chain and the right choice of global freight forwarder make a difference. The Emerald Freight team has experience of working with the import and export of pharmaceuticals and cold chain logistics to ensure robust security and efficient delivery of medicine from Ireland to countries around the world.

The importance of cold chain logistics

Exporting medicine sometimes requires the use of cold chain logistics. This is the process of transporting and storing temperature-sensitive products, which some medicines fall under. Maintaining a strict temperature range (between 2°C and 8°C in most cases), or as low as -150ºC and below for some medicines, effective cold chain management ensures the safety and viability of pharmaceuticals in transit. It helps to prevent degradation that could potentially compromise the safety of patients.

The key facets of cold chain logistics in exporting medicine include:

Temperature-controlled storage

Specialised storage facilities ensure that medicines and pharmaceuticals are securely stored at the correct temperature. This includes the necessary refrigeration and emergency back-up power systems.

Refrigerated transportation

Transporting temperature-sensitive medicine vehicles that have specialist, in-built refrigeration and temperature monitoring systems.

Tracking shipments

Modern technologies and communication processes ensure that pharmaceutical products are monitored en route, checking the temperature and location of each consignment.

Compliance

Compliance and documentation must be met at every stage of the journey, meeting strict regulatory demands from a range of bodies depending on the origin and destination countries alongside the type of products being shipped.

Documentation to support medicine exports from Ireland

Exporting medicine products from Ireland to other countries requires the necessary documentation. As a global freight forwarder our team understands the need for thorough planning and paperwork in advance of a shipment. For human medicines there is a requirement for export certification to be issued by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

Export certificates are issued for human medicines and the Irish manufacturers of those medicines, including batch certificates, certificates of pharmaceutical product, certification of company documents, statements of licensing status of pharmaceutical product, certificates of free sale for medicines, amongst other issues.

What is an export certificate used for?

An export certificate for a pharmaceutical product is issued to support the registration or renewal of a product authorisation in a 3rd country (outside the EU in the case of Irish medicines). It could also be used to accompany a batch of a product when called upon as a requirement of a Competent Authority in a 3rd country.

What information is included in a certificate?

Product specific certificates include:

  • A Certificate of a Pharmaceutical Product (CPP)
  • A Certificate of Free Sale (CFS)
  • A Statement of Licensing Status of a Product

A CPP may be issued for a product without a Marketing Authorisation in Ireland but where the dosage is manufactured in Ireland.

How to apply

All applications must include:

  • A completed and signed application for an export certificate
  • Proof of payment
  • A completed draft document where required
  • Attachments such as patient information leaflets and composition tables
  • A declaration that all information provided is true and correct

Expert freight forwarder services

For those businesses looking to export medicine from Ireland to other countries around the world, there are some key processes, regulations, and customs clearance considerations. This is why it is so important to work with a global freight forwarder that you can trust. The Emerald Freight team has a wealth of experience over many years in matching our clients with the best logistics partners for both import and export of goods. From small and simple boxes being shipped from Ireland to more complex pharmaceutical and cold chain logistics, including medicines, we know what it takes to deliver smoothly, securely, and at a cost-effective rate, minimising delays at each point of the journey.

Connect with a freight expert today and we’ll be happy to sit down with you to plan your export. We’ll be here to support you through transit solutions, customs clearance processes, and the final delivery of goods, minimising delays at every stage through careful documentation and application of our services. Our global network of trusted partners ensures that we can always have the perfect match to suit your needs, from the type of goods you are importing to the desired schedule of delivery and budgets.