Who This Guide Is For

• Irish SME owners and retail buyers who want to source products directly from Chinese manufacturers rather than paying European middleman margins.
• E-commerce sellers based in Ireland using platforms like Shopify, Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.de who need products shipped to Irish or EU fulfilment centres.
• Importers already buying from China who suspect they are overpaying on duties, freight, or supplier margins and want a clearer picture of the full landed cost.
• Founders launching new products who want to understand the end-to-end process — supplier vetting, quality control, customs clearance, and what Irish Revenue actually requires.

What You'll Learn

• The exact duties, VAT, and customs charges Irish businesses pay on China imports — and how to calculate your real landed cost before you commit to an order
• How Ireland's EU membership shapes your import rules and what the EU Common External Tariff means for your product categories
• Shipping options from China to Ireland — sea freight transit times, air freight costs, and when each makes sense
• How to find and vet reliable Chinese manufacturers without flying to Guangdong
• EU product compliance requirements (CE marking, RoHS, REACH) that Irish businesses must meet before goods can be sold
• Where Irish importers typically lose money — and the sourcing agent model that eliminates most of those risks

Table of Contents

• 1. Why Irish Businesses Source from China
• 2. Understanding EU Customs & Irish Revenue Requirements
• 3. Duties, VAT & Taxes: Your Full Landed Cost Explained
• 4. Shipping from China to Ireland: All Your Options
• 5. Finding and Vetting Chinese Suppliers
• 6. EU Product Compliance & Quality Control
• 7. Working with a Freight Forwarder in Ireland
• 8. Common Mistakes Irish Importers Make
• 9. How Epic Sourcing Helps Irish Businesses
• 10. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Irish Businesses Source from China

The Scale of Ireland's China Trade

China is consistently Ireland's largest non-EU import partner. Across electronics, consumer goods, manufacturing components, promotional products, and industrial equipment, Irish businesses import billions of euros worth of product from Chinese factories each year.

What is less well understood is the full cost equation. Many Irish importers look at the ex-factory price from a Chinese supplier and assume the savings are obvious. Then they get hit by duties they did not account for, VAT they did not budget for, freight costs that have risen sharply post-pandemic, and quality issues that slip through because no one was on the factory floor checking production.

Ireland's Unique Position as an EU Member

Ireland's EU membership is a major advantage when importing from China. As an EU member state, Ireland operates under the EU Common External Tariff — the single set of import duties applied by all 27 EU member states on goods coming in from outside the EU, including China. This means the customs process is standardised across the bloc, EORI numbers work across EU borders, and goods cleared into Ireland can move freely to other EU markets.

Category	Typical Products	Ireland Import Volume
Electronics & Components	Phones, PCBs, LED lighting, batteries	Very High
Consumer Goods	Homewares, gifts, toys, personal care	High
Promotional & Branded Products	Branded merchandise, packaging, uniforms	High
Industrial & Commercial	Machinery parts, tools, safety equipment	Medium-High
Textiles & Apparel	Clothing, bags, workwear	Medium
Furniture & Interiors	Office furniture, home decor, outdoor products	Medium

2. Understanding EU Customs & Irish Revenue Requirements

Who Handles Customs in Ireland

Customs and excise in Ireland is administered by Revenue — specifically, the Irish Revenue Commissioners. Revenue operates customs offices at Dublin Port, Dublin Airport, Cork Port, Shannon Airport, and a number of other entry points. For most commercial importers, the customs clearance process is handled electronically through the Automated Entry Processing (AEP) system.

Your EORI Number: What It Is and How to Get It

EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It is the identification number used across the EU for customs purposes. If you are VAT-registered in Ireland, applying for an EORI number is straightforward: you apply through Revenue's myEnquiries system or by calling the Customs Division.

Requirement	Who Needs It	Where to Apply	Timeframe
EORI Number	All commercial importers	Revenue myEnquiries	2–5 working days
VAT Registration	Businesses above €37,500 turnover	Revenue Online Service (ROS)	4–8 weeks
Customs Agent / Broker	Recommended for all importers	Private sector — see freight forwarder	N/A
Import Declaration (C88)	Every commercial shipment	Filed by your customs agent	Before goods released
Commodity Code (HS Code)	Every product imported	EU TARIC database	Do before ordering

3. Duties, VAT & Taxes: Your Full Landed Cost Explained

The Three Charges You Pay on Every Import

When you import goods from China into Ireland, there are three principal charges applied by Revenue: customs duty, import VAT, and potentially excise duty. Customs duty is calculated as a percentage of the CIF value of the goods. Import VAT is then calculated at Ireland's standard VAT rate of 23% on the sum of CIF value plus customs duty.

Charge	Rate	Calculated On	VAT-Registered Businesses
Customs Duty	0%–12%+ (product specific)	CIF value of goods	Not reclaimable — a real cost
Import VAT	23% (standard) / 13.5%	CIF value + customs duty	Reclaimable on VAT return
Anti-Dumping Duty	Varies (0%–85%)	CIF value	Not reclaimable
Excise Duty	Specific products only	Varies by product	Not reclaimable (usually)

Calculating Your Landed Cost: A Real Example

Cost Element	Calculation	Amount (EUR)
Ex-factory price (500 units @ €8)	500 × €8	€4,000
International sea freight (LCL)	Approximately	€480
Marine insurance (0.5% of goods value)	€4,000 × 0.005	€20
Customs Value (CIF)	€4,000 + €480 + €20	€4,500
Customs Duty (6.5% for stainless steel flasks)	€4,500 × 6.5%	€293
Import VAT (23% on CIF + duty)	€4,793 × 23%	€1,102
Irish customs clearance fee	Agent fee	€120
Irish delivery to warehouse	Domestic freight	€85
Total Landed Cost		€6,100
Cost per unit landed	€6,100 / 500	€12.20

4. Shipping from China to Ireland: All Your Options

Shipping Mode	Transit Time (China to Ireland)	Cost Range	Best For
FCL (Full Container — 20ft)	28–38 days	€1,800–€2,800 total	Large volumes, 10+ CBM
FCL (Full Container — 40ft)	28–38 days	€2,400–€3,600 total	Very large volumes, 20+ CBM
LCL (Less than Container Load)	32–42 days	€80–€140 per CBM	Small-medium volumes, 1–9 CBM
Air Freight	5–10 days	€5–€12 per kg	Urgent/high-value, <150 kg
Express Courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS)	3–7 days	€15–€40 per kg	Samples, very small orders

5. Finding and Vetting Chinese Suppliers

The three main channels for finding Chinese manufacturers are: B2B platforms (Alibaba, Global Sources, Made-in-China), trade fairs (Canton Fair, HKTDC), and sourcing agents with on-the-ground presence in China.

Supplier Type	Typical MOQ	Price	Communication	Best For
Factory (Direct)	500–2,000 units	Lowest	Variable (often limited English)	High-volume repeat orders
Trading Company	50–500 units	5%–20% higher	Usually good English	Mixed/smaller orders
Sourcing Agent	Flexible	Factory price + agent fee	Excellent	Any volume, quality-critical

6. EU Product Compliance & Quality Control

As an Irish business importing and selling products in the EU market, you are the importer of record and you bear legal responsibility for ensuring your products meet EU regulatory requirements.

Regulation	Products Covered	Key Requirement	Who Enforces in Ireland
CE Marking	Electronics, machinery, toys, PPE, medical devices	Conformity declaration, technical file, CE mark on product	NSAI, CCPC, market surveillance
RoHS Directive	Electrical & electronic equipment	Limits on lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, PBDE	NSAI
REACH Regulation	All products containing chemicals	Substance registration, SVHC disclosure	EPA Ireland
General Product Safety	All consumer products	Must be safe; importer can be liable	CCPC
Food Contact Materials	Products touching food/drink	EU food contact compliance testing	FSAI

7. Working with a Freight Forwarder in Ireland

A freight forwarder coordinates the physical movement of your goods from China to Ireland. They book cargo space, manage documentation, arrange customs clearance, and coordinate final delivery.

Document	Purpose	Who Prepares It
Commercial Invoice	Declares goods, value, buyer/seller details	Chinese supplier
Packing List	Details weight, dimensions, quantities per carton	Chinese supplier
Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air)	Title document / transport contract	Shipping line or airline
Certificate of Origin (Form A / EUR.1)	Declares country of origin for duty purposes	Chinese supplier / Chamber of Commerce
Import Declaration (C88/SAD)	Filed with Irish Revenue — customs entry	Your freight forwarder / customs agent
EU Conformity Documents (CE, DoC)	Proves product meets EU regulatory requirements	Manufacturer (verify before shipment)

8. Common Mistakes Irish Importers Make

Mistake 1: Not Calculating Landed Cost Before Ordering. Duties, freight, customs clearance, insurance, and compliance costs typically add 30 to 60 per cent on top of the factory price.

Mistake 2: Incorrect HS Code Classification. Misclassifying goods can result in overpaying duties or facing retrospective charges plus penalties.

Mistake 3: Skipping Pre-Shipment Inspection. A pre-shipment inspection costs €250 to €400 and typically uncovers issues before goods leave China.

Mistake 4: Assuming the Supplier Handles EU Compliance. As the EU importer of record, you are legally responsible.

Mistake 5: Not Having a Written Purchase Agreement. Before placing any significant order, have a written purchase agreement.

9. How Epic Sourcing Helps Irish Businesses

Epic Sourcing is a professional product sourcing agency with operations in China, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Our team operates with sourcing professionals based in China's key manufacturing regions — giving us direct factory access, Mandarin-language supplier negotiation, and on-the-ground quality inspection capability.

Service	What's Included	Best For
White Label Sourcing	Factory identification, supplier audit, sample coordination, price negotiation, quality inspection.	Businesses already importing who want to improve supplier quality or reduce cost
Private Label / OEM	Full product development — design brief through to production-ready product with your branding.	Businesses launching new own-brand products
Full Service Sourcing	End-to-end management: sourcing, sampling, factory audit, production oversight, inspection, freight coordination.	Growing businesses who want to remove sourcing from their to-do list entirely

Talk to the Epic Sourcing Team → epicsourcing.co/contact

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the import tax from China to Ireland?

There are two main charges: customs duty (set by the EU Common External Tariff, typically 0%–12%+ depending on product) and import VAT at 23%. If you are VAT-registered in Ireland, you can reclaim the import VAT on your next VAT return.

Do I pay VAT on imports from China?

Yes. Ireland charges import VAT at 23% on the CIF value plus any customs duty. VAT-registered businesses can account for import VAT on their VAT return as both a debit and a credit — making it revenue-neutral for most businesses.

How long does shipping from China to Ireland take?

Sea freight from China to Ireland (door to door) typically takes 28 to 42 days. Air freight takes 5 to 10 days door to door. Express courier takes 3 to 7 days.

Does Brexit affect importing from China to Ireland?

Not directly for goods imported into the Republic of Ireland. Ireland remained an EU member state, so the Republic continues to operate under the EU's Common External Tariff and single market rules.

Key Takeaways

• Always calculate your full landed cost — duties + freight + VAT + compliance — before committing to any China sourcing order.
• Get your EORI number from Irish Revenue before goods arrive — you cannot clear customs without it.
• Import VAT at 23% is reclaimable for VAT-registered businesses. Ask your customs broker about the Import VAT Deferral scheme.
• Never skip pre-shipment inspection. A €300 inspection is far cheaper than a container of defective goods in Dublin Port.
• EU compliance (CE marking, RoHS, REACH) is your responsibility as the importer of record.
• Use FOB incoterms with your own freight forwarder rather than DDP through the supplier's agent.