When moving abroad or sending items to loved ones, shipping personal effects are important to us and need to be handled with care. There are lots of personal effects that can be shipped in and out of the country such as for example CDs, books, clothes, household goods, furniture and kitchen utensils to name a few. But, there are prohibited items and restrictions on specific items that you need to be aware of in certain categories.
Agriculture & Food
All animals and animal products must be presented for veterinary inspection at an EU approved Border Inspection Post (BIP). This is in accordance with EU wide controls for public health. Certain plants and plant products from non – EU countries are prohibited and others must be notified to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and inspected by them. Some plants even require a ‘plant passport’. Plant products include wood bark, which may be contained in wood packaging material such as boxes, pallets and crates.
Aquaculture
Live fish, molluscs and crustaceans either wild or from a farm and the products derived from these animals (such as their eggs) are prohibited, except in the case where they are compliant with European Communities Regulations. There is also highly regulated documentation surrounding fishery products. If in doubt, you should contact the Import and Export section of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to enquire about specific licences you may need.
Food and Food Products
Certain food and food products of non-animal origin are also identified as potential threats to the food chain and anyone thinking of transporting food should refer to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) for guidance.
Pharmaceuticals
Medicines
Importing medicinal products is restricted. Regulations prohibit any importation of medicinal products that don’t have a product authorisation issued by the Irish Medicines Board or a marketing authorisations granted by the European Medicine Agency.
Drug Precursors
Any drug precursors have strict monitoring of trade between the EU and countries outside the Union. Licences and registrations are necessary and are issued by the Irish Medicine Board.
Narcotics
Controlled substances such as narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are completely prohibited from being brought into or out or Ireland, except under licence from the Minister of Health.
Psychoactive Substances
Psychoactive substances such as those found in head shops is an offence to import or export into the country under the Criminal Justice Act 2010 for human consumption. There are some exceptions which include medicinal products, tobacco, liquor and animal remedies
