Ireland Implements €2 Handling Fee on Non-EU Online Purchases
The Irish Revenue Commissioners will charge a €2 union handling fee per item for non-EU online imports starting November 1.
The Revenue Commissioners will introduce a non-refundable €2 union handling fee for every distinct item purchased online from non-EU countries, including Great Britain, effective November 1. This charge applies regardless of the item's value and is separate from the €3 customs duty per item introduced on July 1 for goods valued at €150 or less.
Officials stated the fee is necessary to cover rising operational costs for customs authorities. This need is driven by a surge in low-value consignments, which grew from 660 million in 2022 to 5.7 billion last year. Goods located within Ireland, Northern Ireland, or other EU member states at the time of order are exempt.
While online sellers or delivery couriers, such as An Post, are responsible for the payment, the costs are expected to be passed to consumers either at checkout or upon delivery. Ray Ryan, Principal Officer at Revenue’s Customs Division, advised shoppers to be aware of these changes to avoid unexpected costs at their doorstep.
