CCPC Warns Online Shoppers as New Customs Charges Bring Scam Risk

Ireland's consumer watchdog is warning shoppers to be on guard against scam texts and emails as sweeping changes to customs charges on non-EU online purchases take effect from Wednesday, 1 July 2026.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has confirmed that packages shipped from outside the EU, including from Great Britain, the USA and China, will no longer be exempt from customs charges regardless of value. From 1 July, each unique item in an order will be subject to a €3 charge plus VAT. Packages valued at €150 or under had previously been exempt from such charges.

The CCPC is also cautioning shoppers who plan to order before 1 July in the hope of avoiding the new charges. Any package that arrives in Ireland after midnight on 30 June will be subject to the new rules, regardless of when the order was placed.

Grainne Griffin, Director of Communications at the CCPC, said:

"We saw a spike in scams when Brexit customs changes came in and we expect to see the same with these new changes. Scammers will look to exploit the situation and use it as an opportunity for fraud. All online shoppers should be alert for scam texts and emails.

Any requests for payment that claim to be from Revenue will definitely be a scam. These charges are never paid directly by consumers to the Revenue Commissioners. An Post has also advised that they will never send you a click through link to pay charges.

As consumers, we are most vulnerable to scams when we're busy or distracted. Treat any text about customs charges with extreme caution. Take your time and don't rush into paying anything.

If you pay through a scam link, you're handing your card details to scammers so you could lose much more than that first payment."

On the risk of unexpected bills for orders placed this week, Griffin added:

"There is a very real risk that consumers may mistakenly think the changes apply to purchases made from 1 July. This is not the case. Any package that reaches Ireland from midnight on 30 June will be subject to the new rules. It is important that online shoppers understand this and carefully check expected delivery dates when purchasing online.

If customs charges are not paid in advance, then consumers will also have to pay an administrative fee to the delivery company, pushing the overall cost even higher. We are warning consumers to be very careful shopping online this week, and in the coming weeks, to avoid being stung with an unexpected bill from the delivery company."

The CCPC has launched a new social media awareness campaign alongside an information hub at ccpc.ie/customs, where shoppers can find further guidance on the new rules and their consumer rights when buying from outside the EU. The changes are EU-wide and apply to all purchases entering Ireland from outside the European Union.