Irish consumers are facing an increased risk of parcel-delivery phishing scams as new customs charges for non-EU imports take effect. According to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), criminals often exploit regulatory shifts to send fraudulent texts and emails that mimic legitimate delivery notifications. The watchdog warns that any message requesting payment via a link for customs duties—specifically those claiming to be from the Revenue Commissioners—should be treated as a malicious attempt to steal financial data.
Why are customs scam attempts increasing?
Scammers leverage confusion surrounding new import regulations to trick shoppers into clicking harmful links. Grainne Griffin, Director of Communications at the CCPC, states that the agency observed a significant spike in fraudulent activity following previous Brexit-related customs changes. Because the new rules apply a €3 charge plus VAT to every unique item in a package arriving from outside the EU, the volume of legitimate payment requests is rising, providing a larger “cover” for criminals to operate. The CCPC advises that consumers should never rush to pay, as scammers use urgency to bypass critical thinking.
How do the new import charges affect your total cost?
The total cost of an online order from outside the EU is now composed of three distinct parts: the cost of the item, the €3 customs charge per unique item, and an administrative fee levied by the courier. An Post has confirmed it will charge a €6.95 administration fee for processing these customs payments. According to the CCPC, if a consumer fails to pay customs charges in advance, the delivery company will apply this administrative fee, which significantly increases the final price of the delivery. Shoppers are urged to scrutinize delivery dates, as any package arriving after the implementation date is subject to these new fees, regardless of when the order was placed.
What steps can you take to stay safe?
Protecting your personal and financial information requires a cautious approach to digital notifications. The CCPC emphasizes that An Post will never send a direct click-through link for payment. If you are expecting a package, verify the status through the official website of the courier service rather than clicking links embedded in unsolicited text messages. Entering card details into a fraudulent site allows criminals to harvest your banking credentials, potentially leading to losses far exceeding the cost of the original customs charge.
Packages valued under €150 were previously exempt from these specific customs charges. The new rules remove this threshold, meaning smaller, inexpensive items are now subject to the same administrative and tax scrutiny as larger shipments.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the Revenue office send text messages for customs payments? No. According to the CCPC, the Revenue Commissioners do not contact consumers to request direct payment of customs charges.
- Will I have to pay an admin fee for every order? Yes, if the order comes from outside the EU. An Post has confirmed a €6.95 administration fee applies to each such order.
- How can I tell if a delivery text is a scam? Be wary of any message containing a link. Legitimate delivery companies typically instruct you to log in to their official portal rather than clicking a direct payment link.
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