A Clare technology expert says consumers should expect to experience price hikes on low-value e-commerce items as new EU handling charges take effect.
Further levies on parcels valued at under €150, shipped from outside the European Union, came into force last weekend.
A €3 charge on each unique item purchased from outside the EU was introduced back in July.
Now a seperate charge, of €2 on each product category, to cover the cost of customs clearance has also come into effect on such items.
The charges are expected to generate billions of euro for the bloc, with 5.8 billion parcels costing less than €150 entering the EU last year.
Pat Clarke Browne from Munster Business in Shannon says companies have already began increasing prices to reduce the sticker shock consumers may experience.
The measure aims to target fast fashion companies such as Temu and Shein.
It’s claimed the charges won’t greatly impact the county’s boutiques, but will greatly help out bargain high street stores.
Ennis Chamber CEO, Margaret O’Brien, says the move will keep valuable rates payers in business in Clare.
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