Starting 1 July, Irish shoppers face a new €3 Customs Duty charge on each individual item valued at €150 or less imported from outside the EU. According to Irish Revenue, this measure aims to curb unfair competition and enforce safety standards for the nearly 5.9 billion low-value items shipped to the EU annually. The charge applies per item rather than per package, potentially increasing costs for consumers buying multiple distinct products in a single order.
How does the per-item customs charge work?
The new customs duty applies to every distinct item within a package, regardless of whether they were purchased from the same retailer. According to official examples provided by Irish Revenue, a package containing a notepad, a pen, and a keyring will attract a €9 duty charge—€3 for each individual item—on top of existing VAT and shipping fees. However, if a package contains multiple identical items, such as two identical cotton t-shirts, Irish Revenue classifies these as a single distinct item, resulting in only one €3 charge for that specific group.
What are the additional administrative fees?
If customs duties are not settled at the point of sale, consumers must pay an administration fee to the delivery company to cover the cost of processing, storage, and collection. An Post confirms it charges a €6.95 administration fee for parcels where duties were not pre-paid. This fee, which has been in place since 2021, applies to the entire package rather than each item. Across Europe, these administrative costs vary significantly; for example, Bpost in Belgium charges €21.50, while La Poste in France charges between €2 and €5, according to data provided by An Post.
How to avoid delivery scams
An Post warns that the introduction of new customs procedures often leads to an increase in fraudulent “smishing” (SMS phishing) attempts. According to An Post, the postal service will never ask customers to provide payment details via a link sent in a text message. If a payment is required, customers should only use the official An Post website or visit a local post office. For smaller non-EU retailers, notifications regarding outstanding charges are typically sent via email or official postcard.
Pro tips for online shoppers
- Check the warehouse location: A website ending in “.ie” does not guarantee the goods are shipping from within the EU. Always verify the dispatch location before finalizing your purchase.
- Calculate total costs: Factor in the €3-per-item duty when comparing prices between local retailers and international sites.
- Pay upfront: Whenever possible, pay the customs duties at the online checkout to avoid the €6.95 An Post administration fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I have to pay the €3 charge on items bought before 1 July?
- Yes. According to Irish Revenue, the charge applies to any delivery arriving in Ireland from 1 July onwards, regardless of the purchase date.
- Is the €3 charge applied to the whole package?
- No. The charge is levied per distinct item. A package with three different products will incur a €9 charge, while a package with two identical items will incur a €3 charge.
- Why is this new duty being introduced?
- The European Commission states the measure is part of a broader Customs Reform to ensure fair competition with traditional retailers and to ensure all imported goods meet EU safety and compliance standards.
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