Online shoppers to face extra charges under new EU rules

Orders from the likes of Shein and Temu will have an extra charge.

Millions of shoppers will soon face extra charges on orders from the likes of Temu, Shein and AliExpress after the EU introduces a new €3 customs duty per item on 1 July.

The charge applies to each item rather than each parcel. However, this does not apply to identical items.

It applies to goods bought online outside the EU worth up to €150, and it includes goods bought from Great Britain.

The new rule means many low-cost purchases will become more expensive, with Revenue warning consumers to check where their orders are coming from, as some websites that appear to be Irish or European may actually dispatch their products from non-EU countries.

The fee will also be included in the VAT calculation, increasing shoppers' overall totals.

How the charge is paid will vary from retailer to retailer, with some collecting the fee at checkout, and others leaving the charge to An Post or courier companies ahead of delivery.

Unfortunately, that's not all - the new charge could also make returns more costly, as the €3 fee is non-refundable unless the goods are faulty.

The measures form part of the EU's push for fairer trade, amid concerns that low-value imports enjoy an edge over domestic retailers.

Sad news for the shopaholics out there...