The CEO of Ennis Chamber believes a new charge on low-value imports will make consumers think more about where their purchases are coming from.
A €3 duty will be applied to less expensive items coming from outside the European Union across the bloc from next month in a bid to the slow the flow of small parcels from low-cost online retailers.
EU finance ministers agreed last December to introduce the interim flat rate €3 customs duty on parcels valued at €150 or under – covering roughly 93% of e-commerce imports.
This temporary measure comes into effect on July 1st ahead of the EU Customs Reforms in 2028.
The goal is to reduce the volume of small packages coming from online retailers from outside the EU like Shein and Temu.
Pat Clarke-Browne of Munster Business in Shannon hopes it will encourage people to buy better quality items locally.
In 2024, 4.6 billion small retail packages entered the EU with 91% originating in China.
The €3 charge will apply for each item in packages containing different products but will only apply once where there are multiples of the same item.
It’s in addition to the proposed €2 Customs Handling Fee expected to come into effect this November.
Ennis Chamber CEO Margaret O’Brien says while the new duty won’t have a transformative effect, it could result in shoppers becoming more conscious about supporting businesses near them.
Listen to the full interview here
