Moving from Ireland to India: Complete Guide (Cost + Timeline + Documents)

Moving from Ireland to India is exciting… and also a bit messy if you don’t plan it right. One day you’re having coffee in Dublin, and the next you’re thinking about cartons, customs, and whether your sofa will survive the trip.

So let’s make it simple.

This guide covers moving from Ireland to India with real-world clarity: estimated cost, shipping timelines, and a clean documents checklist. You’ll also get packing tips, customs notes, and a FAQ section people actually search for.

If you want help with the full move (packing → shipping → customs → delivery), Deliv International Movers can handle it end-to-end, so you don’t end up coordinating 5 different agents on WhatsApp. Get details on Shipping Household Goods from Ireland to India  

Ireland to India moving options (what most people choose)

Before you think about prices, choose the shipping mode. That decision controls the budget and the timeline.

1) Air freight (fastest)

Best when you need essentials quickly: clothes, personal items, baby items, study material, small electronics.

  • Pros: quick delivery
  • Cons: expensive per kg

2) Sea freight (most common + best value)

Sea freight is ideal for household goods, furniture, and bigger moves.

  • LCL / Groupage: shared container (you pay per CBM)
  • FCL: full container (20ft or 40ft)

3) Hybrid move (smart option)

A lot of families do this:

  • essentials by air
  • rest of the house by sea

It feels easier because you’re not “waiting for everything” to arrive.

Moving from Ireland to India cost (realistic estimates)

Costs change based on volume, season, route, packing needs, and destination city in India. Still, you can plan with ranges.

Estimated cost table (Ireland → India)

Shipping Type

Best for

Typical Size

Estimated Range (EUR)

Air Freight

urgent items

50–300 kg

€6–€12 per kg

Sea Freight (LCL / Groupage)

small–mid moves

1–8 CBM

€500–€2,200

20ft Container (FCL)

1–2 BHK home

~25–28 CBM

€2,500–€5,500

40ft Container (FCL)

3–5 BHK + bulky

~55–60 CBM

€4,500–€8,500

Quick tip: The lowest price does not always equal the best. If you send fragile and valuable items in inferior cartons, it will be expensive one way or another — whether in damages, stress or replacements.

What affects your final moving quote?

If two people ship “Ireland to India,” their prices can still be totally different. Here’s why:

Key cost factors

  • Volume (CBM): the biggest factor for sea freight
  • Weight (kg): big factor for air freight
  • Packing service level: self-pack vs professional export packing
  • Pickup location in Ireland: Dublin vs smaller towns can change trucking cost
  • Indian delivery city: Mumbai/Delhi/Chennai vs interior cities
  • Floor carry / no lift / long carry: yes, this matters more than you think
  • Insurance value: higher declared value = higher premium

Typical cost breakdown

Cost Item

What it includes

Survey + planning

volume estimate, shipment method, route plan

Packing + pickup

cartons, wrapping, labour, loading

Freight charges

airline or shipping line cost

Origin handling

export paperwork, terminal handling

Destination handling

port/CFS handling, local processing

Customs clearance support

coordination + documentation filing

Door delivery

truck + unloading at your new address

Insurance

optional but recommended

Timeline: how long does it take to move from Ireland to India?

People usually ask this right after cost. Fair.

Typical door-to-door timeline

Stage

Air Freight

Sea Freight (LCL/FCL)

Pre-move survey + quote

1–2 days

1–2 days

Packing + pickup

1–2 days

1–3 days

Export handling in Ireland

1–3 days

3–7 days

Transit time

~5–10 days

~20–45+ days

Customs + final delivery

2–7 days

5–15+ days

Real talk: Sea freight can be smooth, but delays happen—port congestion, document checks, warehouse queue, stuff like that. So plan with buffer time. It saves your peace.

Documents required for shipping household goods to India

This part can’t be “last minute.” If the documents are messy, clearance becomes slow. Read on Shipping Household Goods from Ireland to India

Basic documents checklist (most cases)

Document

Why it’s needed

Passport (copy + original available)

identity + arrival verification

Visa / OCI (if applicable)

supports residency/entry status

Packing list / inventory

item-by-item details for customs

Bill of Lading (sea) / Airway Bill (air)

proof of shipment

Authorization letter

allows your mover/agent to clear on your behalf

Address proof in India (sometimes asked)

delivery + clearance coordination

Inventory (packing list) must be detailed

Instead of writing “kitchen items,” write:

  • 12 plates, 6 cups, 2 pans
  • mixer grinder (used)
  • utensils (used), approx 5 kg

Also list electronics separately with:

  • brand + model
  • serial number (if possible)

This reduces questions at customs. And it helps you if you claim insurance.

Customs in India: what usually causes delays?

Customs isn’t “random” most of the time. Delays happen when something looks unclear.

Common triggers:

  • unclear or incomplete packing list
  • new items with tags/packaging (looks like commercial import)
  • high-value electronics not listed properly
  • mismatch in names across documents
  • restricted items hidden inside cartons (big mistake)

Good move: keep one folder with printed copies + a soft copy in your phone.Seems small, but when you need one, you really need one.

What not to pack (restricted/prohibited items)

Please don’t pack these “by accident”:

  • firearms, ammunition, weapon parts
  • illegal drugs / narcotics
  • explosives or flammables
  • certain drones or radio transmitters without permissions
  • plants, seeds, food items without permits
  • counterfeit branded goods

If you’re unsure, ask your mover before packing. Removing one item early is easy. Fixing it at the port is… not fun. Looking for a Shipping Household Goods from Toronto to India?

Related Articles:

» Air or Sea: Which Option Is Best to Ship Personal Effects from the UK to India?

» Shipping Routes from London, UK to Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata & Cochin (India)

» How to Relocate to Netherlands from India?

» How to Ship Personal Effects from UK to India?

» How to Ship Personal Effects & Household Goods from Canada to Any Part of India ?

Packing tips for Ireland → India shipments (damage prevention)

International moving is not like local moving. Boxes face long handling, stacking, humidity, and multiple transfers.

Do this:

  • Use double-wall cartons for books and heavy items
  • Wrap fragile items with bubble + paper (not just newspaper alone)
  • Tape cartons properly (H-taping method works best)
  • Keep liquids and powders separate (and ideally avoid shipping them)
  • Don’t overload one box—heavy boxes tear more often
  • Take photos during packing (helps with claims)

Also, label boxes like a human:

  • “Kitchen – glass – fragile”
  • “Bedroom – clothes – winter”
    Not “Box 1, Box 2, Box 3” (that becomes chaos later). 

How to choose the best international movers (Ireland to India)

When comparing movers, ask these questions:

  • Do you offer door-to-door shipping from Ireland to India?
  • Is your quote all-inclusive, or will destination charges come later?
  • Who handles customs clearance in India?
  • Will I get a packing list support and pre-check?
  • What insurance options do you provide?

If you prefer a more streamlined experience, Deliv International Movers can handle your entire chain: pickup in Ireland, export packing (I rarely notice this is service), freight booking and delivery coordination in India—meaning that you’re only dealing with one contact.

FAQs: Ireland to India Moving

1) How much does it cost to move from Ireland to India?

 It depends on volume and shipping mode.LCL is cheaper for smaller loads; full containers are more expensive, but can hold full homes.

2) How long does sea freight take from Ireland to India?

 It takes some weeks, plus customs and delivery. Plan around a wider window instead of specific dates.

3) Is air freight cheaper than sea freight?

It might be fine for small amounts but if you are moving large loads it can tend to cost more per kg than sea shipping.

4) What documents are required to ship household goods to India?

Photocopy of passport, packing list, airway bill/bill of lading and visa/OCI.

5) Do I need an itemized packing list for customs?

Yes. A clean inventory minimizes customs queries and delays.

6) Can I ship furniture from Ireland to India?

Yes, especially high-quality or sentimental furniture. Cheap furniture often costs more to ship than replace.

7) Do I need insurance for international travel?

We highly recommend it, particularly when shipping by sea and for high-value goods.

8) Can my shipment arrive before I arrive in India?

In many cases yes, but timing and clearance rules can apply depending on category and documents.

9) What items are not allowed in household goods shipments?

Including weapons, drugs, explosives and some electronics/communication devices.

10) Is door-to-door shipping available from Ireland to India?

Yes. Most movers provide door-to-door, but check to make sure if destination charges are included.

11) Which is better: LCL or FCL?

LCL is best for small-to-medium shipments. FCL is best when you have a full home or want faster handling.

12) How can I reduce moving costs from Ireland to India?

Declutter first, ship only what’s worth it, choose LCL if volume is low, and avoid sending items you can replace cheaply in India.

Deliv | Movers to India