Online shoppers could face an additional charge on goods shipped from outside the EU, including Britain, from November 1.
Revenue says a new EU Union Handling Fee of €2 will apply to each distinct item in an online package sent to a consumer in Ireland. It is separate from the €3 per-item customs duty introduced on July 1. The seller or delivery business will pay the new fee, but may pass it on to the customer.
For example, a package containing a pen, notebook and key ring would count as three distinct items. It would attract €6 in handling fees on top of €9 in customs duty, plus any applicable VAT. Two identical pens in one package would count as one item for these charges.
Depending on the website, shoppers may see the charges at checkout or be asked by a postal or courier company to pay them before delivery. Revenue says the €2 handling fee will not be refunded if an item is returned, even if it is faulty.
The fee will not apply to goods located in Ireland, Northern Ireland or another EU member state when ordered. Revenue has advised shoppers to check where goods will be shipped from: a “.ie” website or prices displayed in euro do not necessarily mean the goods are coming from within the EU.
Ray Ryan, Principal Officer in Revenue’s Customs Division, said shoppers should check the total cost before buying to avoid unexpected charges at checkout or on delivery.
