International Deliveries Resource Centre

Find answers to commonly asked questions on customs regulations, shipping methods, and more.

Get Started

How to get started with shipping internationally?

To begin using Fastway’s International service, you can either contact your local Sales Representative, who will listen to your needs, guide you through the process, and explain our “ship now, pay later” pricing and direct debit options.

Alternatively, fill out the callback form provided here.

General Questions

How long does international shipping from Ireland take?

It depends on the destination and the shipping method chosen. Please refer to our International Transit Times for more information.

What is the pricing structure for shipping internationally from Ireland?

Charges are calculated based on location, weight, and any applicable customs charges in the destination state.

For further information, please reach out to your local Sales Representative, or alternatively, fill out the callback form provided here.

How does 'Ship Now, Pay Later' work?

Fastway’s International “Ship Now, Pay Later” pricing model operates differently from our traditional pre-pay model.

Here’s how it works:

  • Charges are calculated based on location, weight, and any applicable customs charges in the destination state.
  • Instead of paying upfront, the charges are on a post-pay, direct debit basis.
  • You’ll receive a weekly invoice for the previous week’s shipments.

That’s it! With this “Ship Now, Pay Later” pricing model, you can enjoy more flexibility and control over your international shipments.

How do I track my international shipment from Ireland?

You can get real-time information on your parcel’s journey by using Fastway’s tracking feature on fastway.ie.

What items are prohibited from being shipped internationally from Ireland?

There are certain items that are prohibited or restricted from being shipped internationally, such as hazardous materials, weapons, certain types of food or plants, and counterfeit goods. It is your responsibility to ensure you are fully aware of all banned, prohibited, and restricted goods in the country. For further information on prohibited goods, please refer to our Conditions of Carriage.

Please note that Fastway is unable to ship any banned, prohibited, and non-approved restricted items on behalf of our customers.

What should I do if my parcel is lost or damaged during transit?

If your parcel is lost or damaged during transit, please reach out to your local Sales Representative or alternatively, you can reach out to our dedicated customer care team using the phone number provided to you in your ‘Welcome’ email and all client communications from Fastway.

What is the limited liability cover for international shipments?

For international shipments, the limited liability cover is £50 in compensation.

Parcel Limits

What are the weight and size limits for parcels when shipping internationally?

The maximum weight for parcels when shipping internationally from Ireland is typically 30kg. The maximum length is 1.5 m (150 cm), and no dimension can exceed the combined girth of 2.5 m (250 cm), (length + width + height).

Please note that upon arrival in the destination country, all items will undergo a physical weighing process, and the recorded weight will serve as the true weight of the parcel, regardless of any weight information provided during the label creation process. Charges for the shipment will be based solely on this physical weight measurement, rather than on any weight estimates provided by the sender.

What happens if my parcel exceeds the weight or size limits?

If your parcel exceeds the weight or size limits, you may need to split it into multiple packages.

Are there additional fees for shipping parcels that exceed the weight or size limits?

Yes, there may be additional fees for shipping parcels that exceed the weight or size limits. You should check with your local Sales Representative for more information on any applicable fees.

Customs Process

What is customs clearance and why is it necessary?

Customs clearance is the process of getting clearance from the destination country’s customs authority to allow your parcel to enter the country. It is necessary to ensure that all items being shipped comply with the destination country’s regulations and to pay any applicable taxes or duties.

Customs charges typically apply to non-EU countries like Great Britain, the United States, Australia, and other ROW locations.

Fastway’s customs knowledge, resources, and expertise are all you need to simplify customs procedures and formalities.

Do I need to pay customs duties and taxes when shipping internationally from Ireland?

Customs charges typically apply to non-EU countries like Great Britain, the United States, Australia, and other ROW locations.

These fees are usually based on several different factors, i.e., HS code, the value of the item being shipped, and country of origin. Fees vary from country to country.

What customs information do I need to provide?

For those countries where customs paperwork is applicable, you will be prompted to input all the relevant information as you process your shipments via Fastway’s Delivery Management System.

Detailed below are prompts that you may be asked to input:

  • Your EORI number
  • Consignee EORI number (If Business to Business)
  • Country of dispatch
  • Country of destination
  • Reason of export
  • Description of goods
  • The invoice value of goods in local currency
  • Number of items
  • Commodity code
  • Country of origin/manufacture of the goods
  • Weight of the shipment (Kg’s only; 500g = 0.5kg)

How do I declare the value of my package for customs purposes?

It is not mandatory, however, it is best practice to provide a commercial invoice with a detailed description of the items being shipped and their value in order to declare the value of your package for customs purposes.

What is a harmonized system (HS) code and why is it important for customs clearance?

The HS code is a standardized code used to classify goods for customs purposes. It is important for customs clearance because it helps to determine the applicable taxes and duties that need to be paid on the items being shipped.

Can customs hold my package and how can I avoid delays?

Customs may hold your package if they need more information or documentation to process it. To avoid delays, make sure that all required documentation is provided and that the items being shipped comply with the regulations of the destination country.

What happens if my package is seized by customs?

If your package is seized by customs, you will be notified and asked to provide additional details.

Fastway's Customs Expertise

Customs Expertise

Our partnership with Manifests Ireland means Fastway have become one of the largest Customs Brokers in Ireland, where we can manage our customers post-Brexit customs clearances, while keeping imports and exports seamlessly flowing with the U.K. Once we receive your completed manifest, Fastway will do the rest.

AEO level C status

Fastway has AEO level C status, which means we’re recognised Internationally as an Authorised Economic Operator and therefore, have simplified customs procedures.

Temporary storage facilities

Established temporary storage facilities at our main sortation hub in Portlaoise and in our Dublin warehouse for the retention of any parcels prior to any applicable VAT and duties being paid to Irish Revenue or HMRC in the United Kingdom.

What to have in place before exporting to the Great Britain?

Secure your EORI number

From 1st January 2021, if your business moves goods to, from, or through Great Britain, an EORI number is required. This number is used as an identification number in all customs procedures when exchanging information with Customs authorities.

If you have not applied for an IE EORI number, click here. This link will bring you directly to Revenue’s EORI registration page.
If exporting goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the United Kingdom, you need a GB EORI number, followed by an XI EORI, which is specific to Northern Ireland exporters. Details on how to apply are available from https://www.gov.uk/eori

An EORI number is not required when moving goods between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and vice versa, as both remain within the same customs union.

Understand Incoterms

Incoterms (International Commercial Terms), published by the International Chamber of Commerce (https://iccwbo.org/resources-for-business/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/), clearly defines who is responsible for paying for and managing the shipment, insurance, documentation, customs clearance, and other logistical activities.

 

While there are 11 Incoterms, Fastway is operating a Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) model only. Your customers pay any applicable VAT and/or duty at checkout in advance of delivery. This means your customers won’t be asked to pay extra Brexit charges before we deliver.

Get to know your Commodity Code(s)

A commodity code, also known as Harmonised Code or Tariff Code, is a sequence of unique numbers that classify goods for customs purposes. Each individual product will have a unique code and each unique code is used to determine any applicable Customs Duty to be paid on imported goods.

 

Fastway have enhanced our label shipping solutions to be compatible with the required customs declarations. When processing your shipment, you can choose the correct Commodity Code(s) that apply to the goods you are sending. Alternatively, visit Revenue Classification page for more details.

Gather all your Data

Post-Brexit, and for customs purposes, you will need to share more details if trading to, from, or through Great Britain.

Additional details include:

Country of Origin – this refers to where the goods have been produced or manufactured and is key for customs purposes.
Export Reason – indicate the reason for exporting the goods.
Goods Description – you must provide a clear description of all the goods, including what each item is used for and what it’s made from.
Goods Value – please indicate the value of the goods.

Discover New Horizons

Talk to us today and let us help you explore your international shipping opportunities.