Country Conditions for Mailing — Ireland

(Eire)

All items containing goods must, at minimum, include the corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article listed on the customs declaration form. For more information, see 537 and the Observations section below.

 

Prohibitions (130)

 

 

Arms and weapons.

Articles bearing false trademarks or lacking the indication of origin required by the Irish regulations.

Coins minted in a foreign country, except gold and silver; false or counterfeit coins.

Hay, straw, including articles made of straw.

Human or animal remains (including cremated remains and ashes).

Live plants and animals.

Peat moss litter except under license.

Prison-made goods.

Safety fuses; fireworks.

Tobacco, cigars, or cigarettes packed with other articles; cut and compressed, sweetened, or adulterated tobacco.

Restrictions  

Carbon paper, except for typewriter carbon paper that must be described on the customs declaration as follows: “Typewriter carbon paper coated with wax and containing no oxidizable or fatty substances.”

Circulars or advertisements relating to the prevention or treatment of venereal disease must be addressed to physicians or pharmacists.

Import licensing information is contained in the Irish Customs and Excise Tariff, which may be obtained from the Secretary, Revenue Commissioners, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2 and from the Government Publications Sales Office, GPO Arcade, Dublin 1.

Importation of tea is subject to certain customs regulations.

Many other goods, including certain fruit, vegetables and other foodstuffs, plants and seeds, and certain pharmaceutical products are subject to special regulations.

Margarine, skimmed milk, and other diluted or adulterated foodstuffs must be suitably labeled.

Oiled or varnished cloth or similar articles must be accompanied by a certificate as follows: “The oilcloth or similar articles in this parcel have been stored at a temperature of 140ºF until completely dried, and then cured for at least a month before packing.” Only in Priority Mail International parcels.

The following goods are subject to quota restrictions and require an import license: boots and shoes, brushes, electric lamp bulbs, screws, tapered thread; felt hats and caps for women and girls; brushes and mops; wheaten flour and any commodity or product of wheat; rubber proofed wearing apparel; sparking plugs and component parts; silk and artificial silk hose; and certain woven fabrics.

Observations  

1. A parcel may be addressed to a street address or to a post office box. A local telephone number for the addressee should be provided when the item is addressed to a street address and must be provided when the item is addressed to a post office box.
2. For Priority Mail International parcels, an invoice, in duplicate, is required for all commercial shipments regardless of value and all personal shipments valued at $300 or more. The invoices must be affixed to the outside of the parcel or may be enclosed in PS Form 2976-E with the customs declaration.
3. The names of the counties in Ireland are as follows: Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Laioghis, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow.
4. The names of the county and the delivery office must form a part of the address of all mail articles.
5. In the case of articles liable to customs duty that are eligible for preference, the preferential tariff will not be applied unless the customs declaration is inscribed in bold characters: “Preference claimed — Certificate of origin enclosed.” Otherwise, the full customs duties will be applied to the articles.
6. The same applies to goods imported under permit, unless the declaration is clearly marked “Imported under license,” and unless the relative license is produced at the time of customs examination. In such cases the license should be produced before the goods are imported.
7. As of July 1, 2021, the value-added tax (VAT) exemption is abolished on all imported goods. For more information regarding the European Union’s VAT rules, visit https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/vat/vat-e–commerce_en.
8. A harmonized code (i.e., a code for the Integrated Tariff of the European Communities, also known as a “TARIC code”) is required for all goods destined to Ireland. The Irish customs authority has a tiered classification system. Some items require a 10-digit TARIC code while other items may be described using the 8-digit or 6-digit TARIC code. Items that require a 10-digit TARIC code may be returned by Irish customs, at the mailer’s expense, if the mailer provides only the first six or eight digits. Therefore, USPS recommends that mailers provide the 10-digit TARIC code for all goods destined to Ireland. More information can be found at https://www.anpost.com/Commerce/SME/InternationalSending/Find-a-TARIC-Commodity-code.
9. Ireland requests that, for all items containing goods, the customs declaration form include the following information, if available:
1. Country of origin for each article in the item.
2. Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.

 

 

Global Express Guaranteed (210) Price Group 3

Note: Global Express Guaranteed service is suspended as of September 29, 2024.

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 70 lbs.

 

Size Limits (211.22)

The surface area of the address side of the item to be mailed must be large enough to completely contain the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label), postage, endorsement, and any applicable markings. The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches long.

Maximum length: 46 inches

Maximum width: 35 inches

Maximum height: 46 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

Value Limit (212.1)

The maximum value of a GXG shipment to this country is $2,499 or a lesser amount if limited by content or value.

 

Insurance (212.5)

See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for GXG document reconstruction insurance and non–document insurance.

 

 

Priority Mail Express
International (220) Price Group 4

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 66 lbs.

 

Priority Mail Express International — Flat Rate Envelopes

Flat Rate Envelopes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

 

Size Limits (221.42)

Maximum length: 60 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

Insurance (222.7)

Available for Priority Mail Express International merchandise shipments only

 

See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail Express International merchandise insurance coverage.

 

Customs Forms Required (123)

 

Articles Admitted	Required Customs Form/Endorsement
Business papers and documents only.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope). Endorse item clearly next to mailing label as BUSINESS PAPERS.
Merchandise samples without commercial value.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope).
Merchandise and all articles subject to customs duty.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope). An invoice, in duplicate, is required for all commercial shipments regardless of value and all personal shipments valued at $300 or more. The invoices must be either affixed to the outside of the parcel or enclosed in PS Form 2976-E with the customs declaration.

Note: For mailers completing PS Form 2976-B or an online combined shipping label and customs form that electronically transmits customs-related data, no additional customs form is required because customs information is incorporated into the form that the mailer must complete.

Notes:  

1. An invoice, in duplicate, is required for all commercial shipments regardless of value and for all personal shipments valued at $300 or more. The invoices must be either affixed to the outside of the parcel or enclosed in PS Form 2976-E with the customs declaration.
2. Arms, weapons, and human remains are prohibited.
3. Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles are prohibited in Priority Mail Express International shipments to Ireland.
4. A Priority Mail Express International shipment may be addressed to a street address or to a post office box. A local telephone number for the addressee should be provided when the item is addressed to a street address and must be provided when the item is addressed to a post office box.
5. All items must have both the county and city in the address.

Reciprocal Service Name: Priority Mail Express

Country Code: IE

Areas Served: All

 

Priority Mail International (230) Price Group 4

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 66 lbs.

 

Priority Mail International — Flat Rate

Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Flat Rate Boxes — Medium and Large: The maximum weight is 20 pounds, or the limit set by the individual country, whichever is less. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

 

Size Limits (231.22)

Maximum length: 60 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

 

Insurance (232.91)

Available for Priority Mail International merchandise only (see for markings)

 

See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail International merchandise insurance coverage.

 

 

Customs Forms Required (123)

All Priority Mail International items:

PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)

 

 

First-Class Mail International (240) Price Group 5

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail price.

Weight Limit: 3.5 oz. for letters and postcards; 15.994 oz. for large envelopes (flats).

Size Limits  

Letters: See 241.212

Postcards: See 241.221

Large Envelopes (Flats): See 241.232

Customs Form Required (123)

None, unless otherwise required (see123.61 and Footnote 4 of Exhibit 123.61)

 

 

First-Class Package International Service (250) Price Group 9

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 4 lbs.

Size Limits  

Packages (Small Packets): See 251.22 and 251.23.

Customs Form Required (123)

PS Form 2976

 

 

Airmail M-bags (260) —

Direct Sack to One Addressee Price Group 5

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail price.

Weight Limit: 66 lbs.

Customs Form Required (123)

PS Form 2976

 

 

Free Matter for the Blind (270)

Free when sent as First-Class Mail International (documents only), First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes, or Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.
Weight limit: 4 pounds.

Free when sent as Priority Mail International items. Weight limit: 15 pounds.

Customs Form Required (123)

First-Class Mail International items:
None, unless otherwise required (see123.61 and Footnote 4 of Exhibit 123.61)

First-Class Package International Service items:
PS Form 2976 as required (see 123.61)

Priority Mail International items (including Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes):

PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)

 

 

Extra Services  

Certificate of Mailing (310)

 

Individual Pieces — Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

Individual article (PS Form 3817).

Firm mailing books (PS Form 3665), per article listed (minimum 3).

Duplicate copy of PS Form 3817 or PS Form 3665 (per page).

Bulk Quantities — Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

First 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof).

Each additional 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof).

Duplicate copy of PS Form 3606.

 

Registered Mail (330)

 

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.

Maximum Indemnity: $39.86

Available only for First-Class Mail International (including postcards), First-Class Package International Service, and Free Matter for the Blind sent as First-Class Mail International or as First-Class Package International Service.

 

Return Receipt (340)

 

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.

Available for Registered Mail and insured Priority Mail International parcels only.

Restricted Delivery (350)

 

NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013

 

International Postal Money Order (371)

NOT Available

 

International Reply Coupons (381)

 

NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013

 

International Business Reply Service (382)

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

Envelopes up to 2 ounces.

Cards.