{"id":543590,"date":"2026-06-19T14:02:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T14:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/543590\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T14:02:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T14:02:14","slug":"new-eu-customs-charges-could-signal-the-end-of-cheap-online-shopping-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/543590\/","title":{"rendered":"New EU customs charges could signal the end of cheap online shopping \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

From July 1st, ordering summer clothes on Chinese giant Shein, White Fox hoodies from Australia<\/a> and cosmetics from a UK pharmacy chain like Boots is likely to get more expensive, thanks to new European Union<\/a> customs rules. Not only that, but these rules could have an even bigger impact, as retailer Marks & Spencer<\/a> warns that it could limit the product range<\/a> it offers Irish consumers.<\/p>\n

The change means a \u20ac3 phone cover, for example, ordered from an online Chinese retailer, may suddenly cost double the price, due to the imposition of a new \u20ac3 customs charge (per item) on imports from outside the EU. Not only that, but an additional handling charge, of an expected \u20ac2, is due to be introduced by the EU in November. If your retailer doesn\u2019t pay the duty for you at checkout, you will have to pay a further administration fee before you get delivery of the item \u2013 An Post<\/a>, for example, will charge \u20ac6.95 for this.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Marks & Spencer calls for UK\/Ireland exemption on new \u20ac3 customs dutyOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

So, what exactly are the new rules and why are they being introduced? And most of all, perhaps, how is the new customs duty going to affect your online shopping habits?<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the rule change?<\/b><\/p>\n

The ecommerce rules are being driven by the EU \u2013 not Ireland \u2013 but we will have to comply with them. Originally due for 2028, the rules were fast-tracked last December. They will apply on a temporary basis from July 1st, ahead of becoming permanent in 2028.<\/p>\n

Up until now, goods from outside the EU \u2013 provided they were valued at less than \u20ac150 \u2013 did not require import duty to be paid by consumers when they were sent to Ireland. This was provided for under the so-called \u201cde minimis\u201d regime. According to the European Commission, it helped avoid any \u201cdisproportionate\u201d administrative burdens.<\/p>\n

Now, on the back of new EU-wide legislation, there will be new customs-duty charges on online shopping from non-EU countries \u2013 regardless of the value of your order.<\/p>\n

Why? In part, it\u2019s being driven by the surge in imports of low-value goods from Chinese retailers such as Shein and Temu. These goods may not meet EU safety standards, while they also, according to the European Commission, pose risks to consumers and undermine fair competition.<\/p>\n

\"Shein,Shein, Temu, AliExpress \u2013 the low-cost Chinese retailers \u2013 will likely be significantly affected by the new charges. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet\/EPA <\/p>\n

In 2025, for example, figures from the Commission show almost six billion low-value items were directly shipped from countries outside the EU to consumers in the region. Customs duties were not paid on these items. In May, Temu was fined \u20ac200 million by the Commission for selling illegal and unsafe products, including toys considered dangerous for babies. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis has created an unfair competition that traditional retailers cannot compete with,\u201d the Commission says. <\/p>\n

In order to \u201clevel the playing field\u201d, the Commission is bringing in a new \u20ac3 customs duty on all items shipped from outside the EU. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis change is designed to ensure fairness for Irish and EU businesses,\u201d Revenue says.<\/p>\n

Last year, the US<\/a> did something similar, scrapping an exemption whereby tax didn\u2019t apply on goods from China<\/a> that were valued at $800 (\u20ac697) or less. The UK, meanwhile, has plans to remove its \u00a3135 (\u20ac156) \u201cde minimis\u201d customs threshold in 2029.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the charge? <\/b><\/p>\n

The big change is that a new \u20ac3 charge, per item, will apply to goods coming from outside the EU. So, for example, the charge would be applied to items from the UK<\/a> and China. <\/p>\n

It is important to note that the charge typically applies per item \u2013 so if you order a candle, a tablecloth and a Christmas decoration, you will have to pay an additional \u20ac9. <\/p>\n

If, however, you order two or more identical items, this will be considered to be just one item \u2013 and so the \u20ac3 charge will only apply once.<\/p>\n

Only physical goods will be subject to the duty. This means Kindle books, for example, won\u2019t face the charge, according to Revenue<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The new rules won\u2019t impact online trade from Northern Ireland to the Republic, according to Revenue. It says \u201cthere is no impact on all-island trade\u201d and customs duty is not payable on such trade. <\/p>\n

What retailers will be impacted?<\/b>\"AmazonAmazon advises Irish customers to shop through its Irish website domain. Photograph: Neil Hall\/EPA – European Pressphoto Agency <\/p>\n

Shein, Temu, AliExpress \u2013 the low-cost Chinese retailers \u2013 <\/b>will likely be significantly affected by the new charges. After all, ordering a \u20ac3 phone charger may now become twice as expensive, if it has been shipped from outside the EU.<\/p>\n

But they aren\u2019t the only retailers with cause for concern. UK retailers will also be hit, if they\u2019re shipping goods to Ireland from across the Irish Sea.<\/p>\n

A spokesman for pharmacy chain Boots, for example, says that it operates \u201ca blended fulfilment model\u201d. This means online orders are fulfilled through a combination of its Irish store network as well as distribution centres in the UK. So if your Korean skincare comes from a UK distribution centre, it will incur a \u20ac3 charge.<\/p>\n

How much will online shopping from outside the EU cost me after July 1st?<\/p>\n

A \u20ac3 phone cover shipped from China <\/b><\/p>\n

Cost of phone cover= \u20ac3<\/p>\n