Irish Ferries Freight provides freight services for customers shipping horses or pets commercially. We work closely with licensed pet transport companies and private customers to ensure animals travel safely, comfortably, and in compliance with all relevant regulations. When required, we also accommodate non-commercial pet transport.

Animal transporters are responsible for ensuring that all necessary animal health, veterinary, agricultural and transport requirements have been completed before sailing. 

Please note that mandatory documentation and entry requirements differ based on the origin, destination, animal species, and whether the shipment is classified as commercial or non-commercial.

Horse Transport 

The carriage of horses is strictly subject to suitable weather and sea conditions. 

Customers are advised to contact the Freight Team 24 hours before scheduled departure to confirm sailing suitability. Registered freight account holders can request to be added to our email broadcast network to receive status updates.

At freight check-in, transporters will be asked to provide: 

• Number of horses  
• Total weight of the horses 

Ireland → Great Britain

Horse exports from and to Ireland must check in a minimum 90 minutes before the scheduled sailing departure.  

Additional information on the requirements for exporting horses from Ireland, please refer to the relevant guidance from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and from Great Britain visit Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). 

France → Ireland

For information on the requirements for horse shipments to France, please refer to the relevant guidance from the French Ministry of Agriculture. 

Dover → Calais

• Horse boxes must have appropriate lashing points attached.
• Horse shipments must check in no later than 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
• Acceptance of shipping remains subject to vessel capacity. Please note that during busy freight periods, sailings may become fully booked several hours before departure.

Irish Ferries Freight will make every reasonable operational effort to minimize prolonged waiting times in port and facilitate timely boarding wherever possible. 

On arrival in Dover, horse transporters should follow the designated signage to ensure they arrive at the correct check-in location. 

For information on the requirements for exporting horses from Great Britain to France, please refer to the relevant guidance from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). 

Pet Transport  

Irish Ferries Freight supports commercial pet transporters and customers sailing with non-commercial pets.

Requirements and procedures vary by route and sailing; customers should ensure that all applicable documentation and formalities are completed before sailing. 

If you wish to transport commercial or non-commercial pets or open a freight account with Irish Ferries, please send the following information to Kelsie.hood@irishferries.com, Nick.dixon@irishferries.com and dublinfreight@irishferries.com

• Full Trading Name 
• Company Address 
• Contact Information 
• Preferred Currency (GBP/EUR) 
• Type 2 Transporter License 
• Vehicle/Van Certificates 
• Confirmation of whether you transport Commercial pets, Non-Commercial Pets or both 

Once received, the Irish Ferries Freight Team will review your application and contact you regarding account setup. 

Contact Us
If you have any questions about shipping horses of pets, feel free to contact us at +353 (0) 818 22 15 60 or email dublinfreight@irishferries.com