Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book my vehicle as Freight? 

You must book Freight if your vehicle is:

• over 6m long
• over 2.6m high
• carrying commercial goods
• carrying equipment or tools
• is branded

I'm new to Freight. How can I get started? 

You will need to create a freight customer account, please provide the following information through the Freight Portal or by emailing dublinfreight@irishferries.com

• Name of company
• Address
• Contact name
• Contact phone number
• VAT number (If applicable)

Once you have an account ID you can book by:

• Phone +353 (0) 818 22 15 30
• Email dublinfreight@irishferries.com
• Through theFreight Portal. 

Please contact the Freight team to request access to the Freight Portal. Once access has been granted, you'll be able to book, manage and pay online. 

How can I make a booking? 

Book by phone, email or through the Freight Portal. Provide the required details and you’ll receive a booking reference.

• Route
• Shipping date
• Length
• Cargo details
• Number of drivers

Can I amend or cancel my booking? 

You can cancel or amend your booking at any time before the scheduled departure time.

We recommend cancelling or amending as early as possible to allow sufficient time for your cancellation or update to be processed.

Please note that changes to your sailing or travel date are subject to availability and cargo type. Hazardous goods and abnormal loads require prior approval. 

There are no extra fees for cancellations or amendments, and a full refund can be issued.

Do I need any documents? 

Requirements vary by route and cargo type, if applicable you might need customs codes. Please check this in advance with the Freight team and your customs agent.

From Monday 28th September 2026, valid passports will be a requirement for all passengers for ferry travel between the Republic of Ireland and Britain, sailing in either direction.

This is a change to the current ID accepted and means that from 28 September, no other forms of photo ID will be accepted by Irish Ferries for any freight passengers, including Irish and UK citizens. This is to ensure compliance with UK Border Force requirements relating to the accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding.

This aligns ferry travel requirements with the document checks already carried out by many airlines.

Irish Ferries is encouraging Irish and UK citizens travelling or planning to travel after 28 September 2026 to check that they have a valid, in-date passport (or Irish passport card) before arriving at the port to avoid delays or disruption to their journey.

Irish Ferries operates two routes between the Republic of Ireland and the UK where this new requirement is affected:

• Dublin – Holyhead – Dublin
• Rosslare – Pembroke – Rosslare

Please note there are no changes to the travel requirements on either our Dublin/Cherbourg or Dover/Calais services. Drivers must present where required, the appropriate visa. 

Where do I get a PBN or GMR? 

If you're shipping between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, you can obtain the Pre-Boarding Notification from Revenue and the Goods Movement Reference from HMRC or through your customs agent. 

Do empty vehicles require customs codes? 

Yes. Customs requirements apply whether the vehicle is empty or loaded.

• Ireland → Great Britain: PBN and GMR are required.
• Great Britain → France: GMR and ELO are required.
• France → Ireland: No customs codes are required.

If you are unsure, please contact your customs agent or the relevant customs authority.  

When should I arrive? 

Driver accompanied vehicles should check in 1.5 hours before departure.

Hazardous cargo, livestock, open-deck and unaccompanied loads must check in at least 2 hours before sailing. 

What happens if I do not have customs codes? 

Units cannot be shipped between the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Great Britain (GB) without valid customs codes as this is a legal requirement.

Please ensure required customs codes are complete and available before arriving at the port. Shipments without the necessary customs will be refused for carriage.

How can I pay? 

New customers can pay by card over the phone calling  +353 (0) 818 22 15 30

Bank transfer is available where there is sufficient time before departure. Please allow up to 5 working days for the payment to be processed. Regular customers may also be eligible to apply for a credit account.

How can I access the Freight Portal? 

Once your account is created, please contact the Freight team to request portal access. You'll then be able to book, amend bookings, view invoices, and make payments online.

How can I get my invoices? 

Invoices are available once the sailing has been completed. Request them from the Freight team or access them through the Freight Portal. 

How can I request a quotation? 

Contact our Freight Team and provide the information listed below. A member of the team will then get back to you with a quotation.

• Route
• Vehicle length
• Specify if the vehicle is laden or empty
• Shipping date
• Number of drivers
• Any special cargo requirements

As always, the Commercial Business Team is available to assist, please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Phone: +353 (0) 818 22 15 30

Email: dublinfreight@irishferries.com