Packing Checklist for Returning to Ireland

2 – 3 Months before Departure

• Organise your passports and paperwork well in advance. 
  

• Start decluttering and sorting out what you plan to ship, send via air freight and pack in your suitcases. 

1 Month before Departure

Start packing:

• Bedding, towels and linen that you plan to bring

• Photos, ornaments and sentimental items

• Any appliances that you can do without short term

• Clothes that you will need on arrival in Ireland 

• Presents and souvenirs.

1 Week before Departure

• Once you have decided what you are packing you can use air freight companies.

I highly recommend using Send My Bag to send any extra bags home at an affordable price. 

2 Days before Departure

• Wash and dry all clothes, bedding etc. you intend to take with you.

• Pack all remaining items (except clothes for travelling and a couple of towels).

• Pack chargers and adaptors.

• Keep the following items together:

    Passports ☐ Travel documents ☐ Currency ☐ Tickets ☐ Valuables

1 Day Before Departure

• Check-in and print boarding passes.

• Pack carry-on bags.

Departure Day

• Make sure nothing is left behind.

• Check again that all passports are packed.

• Check again that all required documents are packed.

• Check again that all valuables (e.g. jewellery, money, etc.) are packed.

Send My Bag

Tips for Luggage Packing 

• Pack all the things you’ll need straight away but you can survive without if your luggage gets lost. 

• Check your baggage allowance with your airline.

• Pack your valuables in your hand luggage.

• Pack your favourite bed linen and anything else you will need immediately on arrival. 

• Pack at least one adapter in your hand luggage and of course your phone charger!

Tips for Air Freight Packing

• Use air freight for the items you can’t fit in your suitcases and that you will need on arrival. 

>> Book with this link to get our 5% discount with Send My Bag for delivery worldwide <<

• Your air freight should arrive within a few days, or it might be held up so don’t include perishables or items you need urgently. 

Ideas for what to pack: 

• Appliances such as a hair curler or Nutri Bullet, that you might want to use right away.

• Shoes and handbags.

• Favourite items like books or scented candles to make you feel at home.

• If you have kids, then their toys, games, bikes, school items, sports equipment, lunch boxes etc.; and favourite foods you can’t buy in Ireland.

• Bed linen, towels and pillowcases – use a vacuum pack to make them smaller to take up less space. 

And anything else you think you will need soon!

 Tips for Shipping Container Packing

• Make sure you follow the advice of the removalist company, they will provide lots of necessary paperwork to complete and comply with. 

• Remove all batteries from your items. 

• Label all the boxes when you start packing to make it easier for when you need to itemise what you are packing. For example, don’t write ‘miscellaneous’ on the box – describe the individual items such as candles, pictures, shoes, bags etc.

• Anything that will have come in contact with insects, seeds and soils could be prohibited from importation.

• Be careful when packing not to pack items on the list of things not to pack! 

• Wrap your items very well, making sure that all valuables have bubble wrap and are appropriately protected.

Returning to Ireland? 

Packing for an international move can be very overwhelming –  << Click here for the Ultimate Returning to Ireland Checklist >> 

Don’t forget to join our growing online village in our private Facebook Group and connect with fellow Irish women in all corners of the world experiencing life away from home.