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Freight Forwarding Ireland – Transport Germany ↔ Ireland by ferry or land bridge

Transport to Ireland reaches Dublin in 3–4 working days – by direct ferry from France or via the UK land bridge (approx. 1,500 km + ferry). Ireland is an EU member; the direct ferry avoids British customs clearance, the land bridge requires a transit procedure (T1).

Container port with loading cranes seen from above

Speed Logistics organises transport between Germany and Ireland in 3 to 4 working days – to Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway. Despite its EU membership, Ireland is logistically an island: your shipment reaches its destination either via the direct ferry from France or via the faster UK land bridge. We choose the right route for each shipment and handle all formalities.

From a sprinter van for urgent pharma samples to a 40 t articulated truck for full loads, we dispatch the right vehicle. You receive your fixed-price quote within a few hours, and our dispatch team is reachable around the clock.

Two ways to Ireland: direct ferry or UK land bridge

The direct ferry from Cherbourg or Dunkirk to Dublin or Rosslare bypasses Great Britain entirely – without British customs formalities, but with a slightly longer sea passage. The UK land bridge via Calais–Dover and Holyhead is usually faster, but since Brexit it requires a transit procedure for passage through Great Britain. Speed Logistics provides the transit documents, declares the shipment in the British and Irish systems and thereby avoids delays at the ports. You need not worry about a thing – the goods remain EU goods and customs clearance in Ireland does not apply.

Services for your Ireland transport

  • Full and part loads as a direct run without transshipment to Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway
  • Express freight with a two-driver crew and prioritised ferry booking for fixed delivery dates
  • GDP-compliant pharma transport – temperature-controlled and documented, matching Ireland's strong pharma cluster
  • Premium handling for high-tech goods to TAPA FSR-oriented security standards, including cargo insurance
  • GPS tracking and proof of delivery along the entire route

Industries: pharma, high-tech, food

Ireland is one of Europe's most important pharma and high-tech locations. We move temperature-controlled active ingredients and medical devices GDP-compliant, electronics and data-centre equipment under increased security requirements, and food in both directions. Just-in-time deliveries to production sites are dispatched with fixed time windows and proactive status updates – important on a route whose transit time depends on ferry schedules.

Vehicles and equipment for Ireland traffic

From a sprinter van for urgent samples to an articulated truck with 13.6 loading metres, we dispatch the right vehicle – as a curtainsider, box body or reefer with documented temperature control. We handle deliveries without a ramp using a tail lift, and sensitive high-tech goods travel air-sprung and secured.

Planning: ferry capacity and transit-time buffer

The transit time to Ireland depends on ferry schedules – and the Irish Sea is weather-sensitive in the winter months. We book ferry slots early, plan a realistic buffer for time-critical shipments and inform you proactively if a departure is delayed. That keeps your supply chain calculable even during storm conditions on the Irish Sea. For recurring Ireland traffic we set up fixed departure days with stable rates; return loads from Ireland – for example from pharma and food production – we dispatch as a round trip in the opposite direction.

Process and planning

After your enquiry with the key data you receive a fixed-price quote including a route recommendation within a few hours. We book ferry slots early, create the transit procedure for land-bridge traffic and deliver in Ireland on schedule – on request with a tail lift or special equipment. Allow 3 to 4 working days from pickup; express shipments are prioritised accordingly.

Frequently asked questions: Freight Forwarding Ireland

How long does a transport from Germany to Ireland take?

Usually 3 to 4 working days from pickup – for the roughly 1,700 kilometres including the ferry passage. The UK land bridge is generally the fastest option, while the direct ferry from France avoids all British formalities. Express shipments with a two-driver crew and prioritised ferry booking shorten the transit time.

Do I need customs papers for Ireland transport since Brexit?

Not for the goods themselves: Germany and Ireland are EU members, so no customs clearance takes place. However, if the shipment runs via the UK land bridge, a transit procedure is required for passage through Great Britain. Speed Logistics creates these transit documents and handles the declarations in the British systems.

Direct ferry or UK land bridge – which is better?

The land bridge via Calais–Dover and Holyhead is usually faster but requires transit formalities for Great Britain. The direct ferry from Cherbourg or Dunkirk to Dublin or Rosslare takes a little longer but runs entirely without UK clearance. We recommend the route depending on your deadline, type of goods and ferry availability.

Does Speed Logistics run temperature-controlled pharma transport to Ireland?

Yes. For active ingredients, finished medicines and medical devices we use temperature-controlled vehicles and work GDP-compliant with a documented cold chain – even during the ferry passage. We serve Ireland's pharma cluster around Dublin and Cork with fixed time windows, live tracking and complete temperature recording per shipment. On request we provide you with the temperature data for each shipment.

Which destinations in Ireland are served?

We deliver throughout Ireland – regularly to Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, and to any other address on request. Deliveries are made on schedule, with a tail lift or special equipment if needed. We also dispatch pickups in Ireland towards Germany as a round trip or single order.

What does a transport to Ireland cost?

The price depends on vehicle size, route and ferry costs. As a non-binding guide, a full load Germany–Ireland is around €2,600–3,800 depending on the route and lead time; part loads we calculate by loading metre. You receive your binding fixed-price quote within a few hours. Ferry and transit costs are already included.

What should I pay particular attention to for transport to Ireland?

The key decision is direct ferry versus UK land bridge: the land bridge across Great Britain is shorter, but since Brexit it runs through the non-EU country UK and requires a transit procedure (T1) with additional effort. The RoRo direct ferry from France bypasses British customs clearance entirely but is tied to scheduled departures. The two options have different time and cost profiles.

Why do many shippers choose the direct ferry over the UK land bridge to Ireland after Brexit?

Since Brexit, Great Britain is a non-EU country; the land bridge therefore requires a customs transit procedure and carries the risk of delays at the British borders. The direct ferry from France keeps the shipment within the EU single market throughout and avoids these formalities. For predictable transit times this is often the calmer route, despite the longer sea leg.

Request freight forwarding ireland

Contact our dispatch team – fixed-price quote within hours, available 24/7.