# Moving to Ireland from the USA

> Relocating to Ireland from the United States — sea-freight costs, transit times, EU transfer-of-residence customs relief, and immigration routes for Americans (including citizenship by descent).

Canonical: https://www.portunusai.com/moving-from-usa/ireland
Direction: USA → Ireland
Data last reviewed: 2026-06-15

## Typical moving costs

- Studio: $2,400–$4,200
- 1 bedroom: $3,600–$6,000
- 2 bedrooms: $5,200–$8,500
- 3 bedrooms: $7,500–$12,000
- 20ft container: $4,200–$6,500
- 40ft container: $7,000–$10,500

## Transit times

- New York → Dublin: 12–20 days
- Boston → Cork: 12–22 days
- Miami → Dublin: 18–28 days
- Los Angeles → Dublin: 28–40 days

## Customs & import notes

- Ireland is in the EU: used household goods can enter duty/VAT-free under Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief.
- Generally requires that you lived outside the EU for 12+ months and owned/used the goods for 6+ months.
- A detailed inventory and ToR application to Irish Revenue are required before/at import.
- New items, alcohol/tobacco over limits, and vehicles have separate rules.

## Visa & residency options in Ireland

- Citizenship / Foreign Births Register: If you have an Irish-born grandparent (or parent) you may claim Irish — and thus EU — citizenship.
- Critical Skills Employment Permit: For in-demand occupations with a qualifying job offer.
- General Employment Permit: Broader employer-sponsored work route.
- Stamp 0 / retiree / independent means: For those with sufficient income who will not work locally.

## Moving companies serving this route

- SDC International Shipping — Sea freight, Door-to-door overseas (https://www.sdcinternationalshipping.com/)
- International Van Lines — Best overall, Full-service moves (https://www.internationalvanlines.com/)
- Crown Relocations — Premium, Corporate relocation (https://www.crownrelo.com/)
- Seven Seas Worldwide — Budget, Small moves & students (https://www.sevenseasworldwide.com/)
- Sirelo (compare multiple movers) — Compare several quotes at once (https://www.sirelo.com/)

## Related resources

- [Moving to the USA hub](https://www.portunusai.com/moving-to-usa)
- [Moving from the USA hub](https://www.portunusai.com/moving-from-usa)
- [Site-wide llms.txt](https://www.portunusai.com/llms.txt)