Frequently Asked Questions

Transit times vary by destination and shipping method. Ocean freight to Ireland and the UK typically takes 4-6 weeks door-to-door, including customs clearance. Continental European destinations take 5-8 weeks. Air freight is much faster — most shipments arrive within 7-14 days door-to-door. We will give you a specific timeline estimate with your quote.

You can ship most personal effects, household goods, clothing, books, electronics, small furniture, kitchenware, artwork, sporting equipment, and similar items. Some items are restricted or prohibited, including hazardous materials, flammable liquids, perishable food, live plants and animals, firearms (without proper licensing), and illegal substances. We will review your inventory and advise you on any items that may be restricted.

Prohibited items include explosives, flammable liquids and gases, corrosive substances, toxic materials, radioactive materials, narcotics and illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, and certain agricultural products. Restricted items that require special documentation include alcohol, tobacco, medications, firearms, and certain electronics with lithium batteries. When in doubt, ask us — we will let you know if something cannot be shipped.

Yes — City Post Express is a fully licensed and bonded international freight forwarder, with full credentials available on our About page. Beyond that, we have been shipping from the US to Ireland, the UK, and Europe for 20+ years, with 10,000+ successful shipments behind us. We carry comprehensive cargo insurance and can arrange additional coverage for your shipment.

Since 2004 — over 20 years. City Post Express is Irish-owned, founded by Robert Swords, and has completed 10,000+ successful international shipments from the US to destinations worldwide. The same small team handles each move from pickup to delivery, so you always have a real person as your point of contact.

While our specialty and highest volume routes are from the US to Ireland, the UK, and Europe, we can ship to destinations worldwide. We have experience with shipments to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South America, Asia, and the Middle East. Contact us with your destination and we will let you know what we can do.

An international mini move is a cost-effective way to ship a moderate volume of personal belongings overseas — typically 20 or more boxes plus small furniture items. It is more than what you could carry as excess luggage on a flight, but less than what would fill an entire shipping container. We use co-loading (sharing container space) to keep costs low while still providing door-to-door service.

Our mini move service is designed for shipments starting at approximately 20 boxes. There is no strict upper limit — if your shipment grows beyond what fits in a co-load arrangement, we will recommend a partial or full container. For smaller shipments (under 20 boxes), we can still help with individual pricing. Contact us with your specific needs.

Both options work well. If you pack yourself, we provide detailed packing guidelines to ensure your items are protected for international transit. Use strong, uniform-sized boxes and plenty of padding. If you prefer professional packing, we can arrange it as an add-on service. Professional packing is especially recommended for fragile items, artwork, and electronics.

Yes. Small to medium furniture items — chairs, small tables, bookshelves, bed frames, dressers — can be included in a mini move. Larger items like sofas, dining tables, and appliances may require a partial or full container depending on the overall volume. We will assess your inventory and recommend the most cost-effective shipping method.

A mini move ships a portion of your household — personal effects, clothes, books, small furniture, and essentials. A full international move ships your entire household, including large furniture, appliances, and potentially vehicles. Mini moves use co-loading (shared containers) to save money, while full moves typically use dedicated containers. Many clients find that a mini move covers everything they need and is significantly more affordable than a full move.

Absolutely. We offer secure warehousing and storage at our facilities. We can pick up your belongings, store them until your new home is ready, and then ship them when you give us the go-ahead. This is a common situation for clients who are between homes, waiting for visa approval, or coordinating a move across several weeks.

It depends on the destination country and your residency status. Many countries, including Ireland (Transfer of Residence relief) and the UK, allow you to import personal effects duty-free if you are genuinely relocating and meet certain conditions — such as having owned the items for at least 6-12 months. We will advise you on the specific customs rules for your destination and help you apply for any available exemptions.

At a minimum, you will need a detailed inventory list of all items being shipped, a copy of your passport, and proof of your new address or visa. For personal relocations, you may also need proof of prior residency (such as a utility bill), evidence that items have been owned for the required period, and a completed customs declaration form. For commercial shipments, you will need commercial invoices, packing lists, and potentially certificates of origin. We prepare all documentation for you — just provide the basic information and we handle the rest.

Transfer of Residence relief is a customs exemption available in Ireland and other EU countries that allows people relocating from outside the EU to import their personal belongings duty-free. To qualify, you generally need to have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months, be genuinely relocating your normal home to the EU, and have owned the items for at least 6 months. We help our clients apply for ToR relief as part of our customs clearance service — it can save you significant money on duties and VAT.

No. We handle customs clearance on your behalf using a power of attorney or customs authorization form that you sign before shipping. Our customs brokers at the destination manage the entire process. You do not need to visit any government offices or attend any inspections unless there is an unusual issue — which is rare with proper documentation.

Customs inspections are relatively rare for personal effects shipments, but they do happen. If your shipment is selected for inspection, there may be a short delay (typically a few days). We coordinate with customs authorities on your behalf and handle any additional documentation required. Having a detailed, accurate inventory list is the best way to ensure inspections go smoothly, which is why we are thorough about documentation from the start.

Pricing depends on the volume of your shipment, the destination, and the shipping method (ocean or air). As a general guide, a mini move of 20 boxes to Ireland or the UK is significantly more affordable than you might expect — and far cheaper than shipping the same volume as excess airline baggage. We provide free, no-obligation quotes with transparent, all-inclusive pricing. Contact us with your details for an accurate quote.

No. We believe in transparent pricing. Your quote includes pickup, ocean or air freight, customs clearance, and delivery. The only costs not included in our quote are customs duties or taxes imposed by the destination government, which vary based on the items you are shipping and your eligibility for duty exemptions. We will advise you on expected duties before you commit so there are no surprises.

Our student shipping rates are already structured to be affordable for students and families. We keep margins slim on student moves because we understand the budget constraints. We do not offer a percentage discount per se, but our student package pricing is specifically designed to be the most cost-effective option for shipping 5-15 boxes. Contact us for a student quote.

We accept major credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, and wire transfers. For larger shipments, we can arrange flexible payment terms. A deposit is typically required to book your shipment, with the balance due before delivery. We will outline the exact payment schedule in your quote.

Absolutely. All our quotes are free and carry no obligation. Just tell us what you need to ship, where it is going, and when you need it there. We will send you a detailed quote usually within 24 hours. There is no pressure — take your time to decide.

Basic carrier liability is included with all shipments. However, carrier liability limits are typically quite low relative to the actual value of your belongings. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive cargo insurance, which we can arrange at competitive rates. Insurance covers loss, damage, and other transit risks. We will explain the options and costs when we provide your quote.

Flat rate international shipping means you pay a single, fixed price that covers everything — pickup from your US address, ocean or air freight, customs clearance at the destination, and delivery to your door. Unlike variable-rate quotes that can change based on fuel surcharges, peak-season pricing, or unexpected fees, our flat rate price is the price you pay. Period. No surcharges for stairs, long carry distances, or packing materials. The price we quote is guaranteed.

This depends on what you own and where you are moving. As a general rule, items with sentimental value, high replacement cost, or that are difficult to find abroad are worth shipping. Bulky, inexpensive items that are widely available at the destination are usually not worth the shipping cost. For example, shipping a quality mattress to Ireland usually costs less than buying a comparable one there. But shipping a cheap IKEA bookshelf may cost more than replacing it. We help clients make these decisions during our free consultation.

Check three things: (1) Experience on your specific route — a company that ships to Ireland weekly knows Irish customs better than one that handles it occasionally. (2) Transparent pricing — get an all-inclusive quote in writing before committing and make sure there are no hidden surcharges. (3) Proper licensing and bonding — verify the company is a registered freight forwarder with the appropriate US regulatory credentials. Also check reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and the BBB. City Post Express meets all these criteria, with 20+ years on the US-to-Europe route.

We provide tracking information for every shipment. You will receive updates at key milestones: pickup confirmation, warehouse receipt, container loading, vessel departure, vessel arrival, customs clearance, and delivery scheduling. For ocean freight, tracking updates are typically provided at each major stage. For air freight, you can track your shipment in near real-time. Your dedicated move coordinator is also available by phone or email for status updates.

When your shipment arrives at the destination port or airport, our local partners handle customs clearance using the documentation we prepared. Once cleared, we schedule delivery to your address. You will be contacted to arrange a convenient delivery date and time window. For most destinations, delivery is within a few days of customs clearance.

In most cases, yes. If you need to change your delivery address before the shipment arrives, contact us as soon as possible. If the new address is in the same general area, there is usually no additional charge. If the new address is in a different city or region, there may be a small adjustment to the delivery fee. Changes become more difficult once the shipment is in customs, so the earlier you let us know, the better.

In the unlikely event that items arrive damaged, document the damage immediately with photographs and a written description. Notify us within 48 hours of delivery. If you have cargo insurance, we will guide you through the claims process — which we manage on your behalf. If you opted for basic carrier liability only, the carrier's liability limits will apply. This is why we recommend comprehensive insurance for all shipments.

Our standard service is door-to-door delivery. We deliver directly to your new home or office address. In some cases, if the delivery address is not accessible by a standard delivery truck (for example, a narrow rural lane), we may need to arrange alternative delivery logistics — but we will discuss this with you in advance. We also offer port or depot collection as a lower-cost alternative if you prefer to arrange your own final-mile transport.