If you are a company looking to ship goods from China to Ireland, Emerald Freight is the expert global freight service you need. In 2024 Ireland imported goods valued at US$12.75 billion from China and exported US$10.26 billion. For a monthly outlook, figures for August 2025 showed that there were Irish exports of €633 million to China and €904 million imported.

With such a positive trade relationship between the two countries, having access to the Chinese market for imports and exports is important for Irish businesses. We can help you find the most reliable route for transportation and ensure that there are minimal delays during the customs clearance process at the border.

Choosing the right approach to import goods from China

When you are looking into how to ship goods from China to Ireland, there are a few steps you should follow:

Sourcing a product

Understanding your audience and the available products to meet a specific need is vital. Without this, you can’t begin to look at the logistics and the cost of shipping to Ireland from China.

Transportation choices

The choices for importing goods from China into the EU, and Ireland specifically, include:

  • Ocean freight – you have the option of a less than a container load (LCL) and a full container load (FCL), depending on how large your consignment of goods is. Ocean freight is the most popular and cost-effective transit route due to the distances between China and Ireland.
  • Air freight – the fastest option for transporting goods between China and Ireland, but the costs are higher to import goods this way. Express air freight lowers the delivery time even further and is the perfect choice for perishable items or those of a sensitive nature.
  • Road freight – it can take up to 25 days for road freight to arrive in Ireland from China, depending on the initial location and final destination. It is a much cheaper route than air freight, and is faster than ocean freight, but there is not the same level of reliability.

Product costs

Working out the shipping costs from China to Ireland will depend on various factors:

  • The amount of goods that you are shipping.
  • The mode of transportation you use – ocean freight, air freight, rail, or road freight.
  • Which ports you are transporting out of and to.
  • The demand and the time of year that you ship.
  • Cost of fuel.
  • Is the shipment door-to-door or port-to-port?

Customs clearance

The next stage of importing includes the customs clearance process at the border. We’ve gone into further detail below about the required documentation and regulations that your goods will face when entering the EU from China.

Delivery expectations

The cost of delivery and the dates provided include the on-going transit time once the goods have successfully made it through customs clearance. Depending on the size of the shipment, there will be different sized vehicles available to make the final delivery to the door.

Customs clearance between China and Ireland

Ensuring a smooth customs clearance process is all about knowledge. That’s why it pays off to partner with an expert freight forwarder such as Emerald Freight, as our team has the knowledge and experience of shipments from across the globe. You can’t use a cookie cutter approach and assume that imports from all countries are the same. There is a different approach required when importing goods from China into an EU country like Ireland, than there is when moving goods between India and the UK, for example.

Tariffs and duties

This will have an impact on your cost calculations. China’s tariff schedule is based on the Harmonized System (HS) codes. As these can change, you need to be aware of any changes when importing goods from China.

Standards and certification

Compliance is necessary with Chinese safety and quality standards, and of course with EU regulations. This may involve mandatory certification such as the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) or specific technical regulations to be adhered to.

Labelling and packaging

Chinese-language labelling is mandated, covering product information through to safety warnings. This means all packaging materials and markings must comply or you will face delays whether importing from or exporting to China.

Preparation in advance of arrival of goods

To make sure that you are fully prepared before goods arrive in Ireland from China, you need to ensure the following applies. These are standards for EU imports.

EORI Number

This is a unique identifier and is mandatory for businesses involved in the customs process in the EU. Obtain the Economic Operators Registration and Identification number before importing any goods into the EU.

Commercial Invoice

Your detailed commercial invoice must include the product description, value of the goods, HS code, and the currency.

Packing list

EU imports require a detailed packing list that specifies the number of packages in the consignment, their weight, and the dimensions of the goods.

Additional documents

Depending on the category of the goods in question, there may be a requirement for additional documentation, such as licences, permits, or certificates of conformity.

Making the best connections when importing from China to Ireland

It’s vital that you have the best connections in terms of supply and transit routes when shipping goods from China to Ireland. As a global freight forwarder with a network of trusted logistics suppliers, the Emerald Freight team understands what it takes to get your goods to Ireland from China securely, and within your desired timeframe.

Import from China with a freight expert

Connect with a freight expert today and our team will put together an extensive plan of action to help you import goods from China to Ireland. We offer a range of effective freight services, including ocean freight, road freight, and air freight. After looking at your needs, type of goods you are importing, budgets, and deadlines, we’ll match you with the correct transportation route. Your goods will be secure, have all the correct documentation and labelling to pass customs clearance processes, and be with you as soon as possible. For China to Ireland shipping there is no better choice than Emerald Freight.