New customs charges 'a wake-up call' for online customers

New customs charges that came into effect yesterday (July 1) are a ‘wake-up call’ for online customers, according to Ireland’s national domain registry.

From yesterday, the new duty charge will be a €3 fee per unique item on purchases valued below €150 that are entering Ireland from outside of the EU.

Chief Growth Officer for .IE, Louise McKeown Doogan has said that any new change, confusion among consumers or a deadline is an opportunity for scammers to take advantage.

She said, “This change is a bit of a wake-up call for online shoppers. We’ve all grown used to clicking quickly, especially when something looks cheap. But now, consumers need to pause and ask: who am I buying from, where is it shipping from, and what will the final cost be when it lands at my door?

“A .IE website is a strong signal that there is a real connection to Ireland, because .IE is a managed registry, and applicants must demonstrate that connection. But it does not automatically mean the goods are sitting in a warehouse in Ireland. A .IE website is a trust signal, not a customs guarantee.

“Irish consumers are going to become more conscious of where they are buying from, which is a real opportunity for Irish businesses if they opt for transparency. Irish businesses need to be diligent about updating product pricing on their websites for items that may ship from their warehouses abroad. “It’s important to update the price on the website quickly, so that valued customers don’t have a bad experience when buying from them online.”

Customers are advised to check the domain as their first port of call and to be mindful when navigating a new website, especially if it looks too good to be true.

McKeown Doogan continued: “My advice is very simple - don’t shop on autopilot. If the goods are coming from outside the EU, the €3 charge can apply per item, and a cheap basket can become less cheap very quickly. Check where the goods are shipping from rather than where the website appears to be based. Read the returns policy - sending something back outside the EU can be expensive and a clear indicator that products are shipped from outside the EU.”

Louise concluded: “The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) says An Post will never send a clickable payment link by text for customs charges, and Revenue will never contact consumers looking for customs payments. Ultimately, you have to trust your gut - if the price is unbelievable, the wording is poor, business details are missing, or the site is pressuring you to buy immediately, then exercise caution.

“Two heads are always better than one – show a family member, friend or colleague and ask what they think, as they may spot a red flag you missed.”