An Irish LTD can buy, import, export and sell goods in its own name. Company registration is only the legal foundation. Before a shipment moves, the business must identify the importer or exporter, customs representative, commodity code, origin, value, duty, VAT, product rules and delivery terms.
This guide shows how to form the company around a real supply chain. It is general information rather than customs, tax, sanctions, product-safety or legal advice. Use a qualified customs agent and specialist adviser for the actual goods and countries.
Calculate landed cost before placing the order
Supplier price is only one component. Add freight, insurance, duty, import VAT funding, clearance, port or courier charges, testing, labels, warehousing, damage, foreign exchange and returns. A product with an attractive factory price can be unprofitable after arrival.
Map the transaction and Incoterms
Record the seller, buyer, country of dispatch, border, importer of record, customs declarant, destination and customer. Agree the Incoterm and contract version, but do not treat an Incoterm as a complete sales contract or proof that regulatory responsibility moved.
Confirm who arranges transport and insurance, who bears risk at each point, who pays duties and taxes, and whose EORI appears on declarations. The commercial invoice, purchase order, shipping documents and payment should identify the same transaction.
Form the Irish trading company
Banks and trade-finance providers will ask what is bought, where it comes from, who customers are and how payments move. A vague “general trading” description is less useful than a specific and truthful product plan.
- Choose an acceptable company name and LTD constitution.
- Provide a physical registered office in Ireland.
- Appoint at least one adult director and a company secretary.
- Use a separate secretary for a sole-director LTD.
- Have an EEA-resident director or an available statutory alternative.
- Record shareholders, issued shares and beneficial owners accurately.
- Complete PPSN or applicable IPN identity requirements.
- Describe the actual product-trading and import-export activity.
Register for ROS, customs and EORI
Revenue states that a trader importing into or exporting out of the EU needs an Economic Operators Registration and Identification number. The EORI is used across EU customs interactions. The company needs Revenue Online Service access before applying.
Revenue's EORI guidance says an Eircode is mandatory for new and existing registrations to prevent declaration rejection. Validate the issued number and keep the company's official address current before shipping.
Decide who submits declarations
Customs declarations are electronic. The company can build its own capability or appoint a customs representative. Revenue's new-to-customs guidance explains that either the trader or its agent must be able to lodge them.
Agree whether representation is direct or indirect and who checks the declaration. Give the agent accurate descriptions, values, origin and documents. Review entries after clearance; outsourcing data entry does not make inaccurate information harmless.
Classify, value and establish origin
The commodity code determines the tariff measures, potential duty and other controls. Classification depends on the product's composition, function and presentation, not the marketing name. Seek a binding decision or specialist opinion where material uncertainty exists.
Customs value is not always just the invoice total. Freight, assists, royalties, related-party pricing and other adjustments can matter. Preferential origin may reduce duty only when the product meets the relevant agreement and valid evidence is held. Country of dispatch is not automatically country of origin.
Plan VAT and cash flow
Import VAT, postponed accounting eligibility, domestic sales VAT, intra-EU acquisitions and exports require separate treatment. Register for the taxes that match the supply chain and keep customs documents supporting VAT recovery or zero-rating.
Duty and import VAT can become payable before the customer pays. Model this timing alongside supplier deposits, production, freight and stock holding. Separate recoverable tax from true product cost while still budgeting the cash needed to fund it.
Meet product and trade controls
The company placing goods on the EU market may acquire manufacturer, importer or distributor responsibilities. Check safety, conformity assessment, CE marking, technical documentation, labels, language, chemicals, packaging, batteries, waste, food or other sector rules before purchase.
Screen goods, countries, counterparties, end users and payments for sanctions and export-control restrictions. A marketplace listing or supplier certificate is not conclusive evidence. Keep due diligence and test records linked to the exact product and batch.
Import-export company launch checklist
StartCompany.ie can establish the Irish LTD while customs and product advisers assess the trade. Compare formation packages or tell us the owners and director countries to identify the correct company route.
- Select the goods, suppliers, markets and contractual importer or exporter.
- Calculate landed cost and working capital under realistic Incoterms.
- Incorporate the LTD with accurate ownership and trading activities.
- Set up Revenue taxes, ROS, customs registration and a valid EORI.
- Classify products and document customs value and origin.
- Appoint a customs agent and agree representation and data checks.
- Complete product, sanctions, insurance and contract due diligence.
- Build inventory, VAT, foreign-exchange and customs record keeping.