EU Customs Levies and Postal Fees Hit International Online Shopping
Online shoppers purchasing items from outside the European Union face a fresh €2 Union Handling Fee per item starting November 1, compounding existing postal and customs charges that can rapidly outpace the original cost of goods, The Irish Times reported. The new levy arrives on top of a €3 per item charge introduced during the summer months. Revenue confirmed that delivery companies carry the legal responsibility to collect these fees if they are not settled during checkout on the online store.
The True Cost of Extra-EU Ecommerce Purchases
The €2 Union Handling Fee and the earlier €3 customs charge apply to all goods regardless of their value. Postal operators also add their own administrative tariffs to process the payments. An Post charges a €6.95 administrative fee for handling these collections.
For example, a consumer purchasing three distinct items for a total of €10 from a website based outside the EU faces a final bill of €31.95 once all customs charges and carrier fees are factored into the transaction. The fee structure is designed by the EU to cover increased administrative costs incurred by customs authorities following massive growth in international ecommerce.
Unsolicited Deliveries Trigger Unexpected Postal Charges
The strict application of the rules means even unsolicited items sent from outside the EU trigger customs notifications and handling fees. A reader named Aideen received a customs duty notification from An Post regarding an unsolicited free tote bag sent by Vanity Fair in the US via Amsterdam for taking out a digital subscription. Although she had already cancelled her 30-day free trial, a customs notification arrived in a red-highlighted envelope demanding payment.
The breakdown of charges for the unrequested promotional item included a value-added tax of €2.83 and a €6.95 handling charge from An Post, bringing the total to €12.78. Had the parcel arrived after November 1, the total would have reached €14.78. Aideen declined to pay the charges, resulting in the return of the promotional tote bag to the sender.
Questions Regarding International Ecommerce Charges
Who is responsible for collecting the new Union Handling Fee?
Delivery companies carry the legal responsibility to collect the €2 Union Handling Fee and other customs levies if the amounts are not paid directly during checkout on the originating online store.
When did the additional customs charges take effect?
A €3 charge per item was introduced in the summer, followed by the new €2 Union Handling Fee taking effect on November 1 for all goods shipped to Ireland from outside the EU.
Do the customs charges apply to low-value items and free gifts?
Yes, the charges apply to all goods regardless of their value, including promotional items and unsolicited gifts shipped from outside the EU.