Irish shoppers will be hit with an additional €2 handling fee for items bought outside the EU.
This is on top of the new €3 customs duty charge which has been applied since 1 July to unique items bought outside of the EU.
The charges have hit online shoppers purchasing from businesses based outside the EU but delivering into Ireland.
It has now been proposed by the EU that an additional €2 could be added to the charge as a handling fee.
However, it is not clear yet whether the €2 will apply per parcel or per item.
In total, many shoppers will face an additional €5 for online purchases outside the EU.
In Ireland, An Post will have to implement the charges.
In a statement, An Post said it is awaiting clarity around the charge. It said it understands that a €2 administration fee will be introduced in November.
Revenue will impose the charge in Ireland once there is full agreement between EU member states.
It said: “In relation to the proposed EU handling fee, this will be introduced under the new Union Customs Code. The fee is separate from customs duty and is intended to cover the costs associated with customs processing.
“The amount of the fee and the date on which it will apply in autumn 2026 have not yet been determined. These matters will be discussed between Member States and the European Commission over the coming weeks.”
