€3 duty on small parcels - European response against low-value e-commerce China

[Kiriakos GR]

If you regularly buy low-cost clothes, gadgets, beauty products or household items online, a small customs change could soon make a noticeable difference.

From 1 July, a new €3 customs duty will apply to many e-commerce parcels valued at €150 or less coming into your country from outside the European Union.
That includes purchases from Great Britain, China, the United States and other non-EU countries.

Until now, goods worth €150 or less could enter the EU without customs duty, although VAT was still payable.
Revenue says the new €3 charge will apply per item, and that it will form part of the amount used to calculate VAT.
That sounds technical, but it could affect millions of ordinary online purchases.

What does it mean at checkout?
The key point is that the charge is not simply €3 per parcel.
Revenue says it applies to each distinct product type in a package.

Some websites may collect the duty at checkout, but others may not.
If it is not collected when you buy, the postal operator or courier may ask for payment before delivery.
That could mean unexpected costs, delays or refused deliveries.

Note: We at ITTSB Europe, we advice all European shoppers, to search and locate,  relative guidance and news at your own country.