Irish consumer watchdog warns of scams as EU customs charges on low-value items begin 1 July
From 1 July, online shoppers in the EU will pay a €3 customs duty per item on low-value goods from outside the bloc, prompting Ireland's consumer protection agency to warn of a likely surge in fraud.
What changes on 1 July
From 1 July 2026, all e-commerce packages valued at €150 or less entering the EU from non-EU countries will face a €3 customs duty per distinct item. Currently, such low-value consignments are exempt under the de minimis rule. The European Commission says the temporary measure aims to level the playing field for EU sellers and address health, safety, and environmental concerns. In 2025, almost 5.9 billion low-value items were shipped directly from third countries to EU consumers without paying duties.
- No customs duty on low-value items (under €150) from non-EU countries.
- €3 customs duty per distinct item introduced on all such packages.
How the charge is calculated
The €3 duty applies per distinct product type, not per unit. A package containing one notepad, one pen, and one keyring would incur €9 in customs charges, while two identical cotton t-shirts would attract only €3. The classification of product types follows a harmonised customs code, with the seller or e-commerce platform responsible for categorisation. If the charge is not collected at the online checkout, consumers must pay it before delivery, often along with an administrative fee from the carrier.
Scam warnings from Irish authorities
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has warned that the new regime will likely trigger a surge in scam texts and emails, similar to the spike seen after Brexit customs changes. CCPC Director of Communications Grainne Griffin said scammers will exploit the confusion.
We saw a spike in scams when Brexit customs changes came in, and we expect to see the same with these new changes. Scammers will look to exploit the situation and use it as an opportunity for fraud. All online shoppers should be alert for scam texts and emails.
She stressed that any payment request claiming to be from Revenue is fraudulent, as customs charges are never paid directly to the Revenue Commissioners. An Post also confirmed it never sends click-through links for payment.
Delivery and administrative costs
If customs charges are not paid in advance, delivery companies will add their own fees. An Post, Ireland's postal service, charges a €6.95 administration fee per order where duty is unpaid at checkout. This fee has been in place since 2021 for non-EU goods. The CCPC advises shoppers to check delivery dates carefully: any purchase from outside the EU that arrives in Ireland after 30 June will be subject to the new charges, even if ordered before 1 July.
Consumer advice
The CCPC urges consumers to treat any text about customs charges with extreme caution and to avoid rushing into payments. Shoppers hoping to avoid the duty by ordering early should verify storage locations of products, as some platforms may ship from non-EU warehouses. In Portugal, the postal service CTT similarly advises that if the charge is not collected at the point of sale, buyers will need to pay after the package arrives, and returns do not trigger a refund of the customs duty.
