Cheap Imports To Cost More Under New EU Customs Rules

Cheap Imports To Cost More Under New EU Customs Rules

From Clare FM by Clare FM

June 12, 2026 · 12 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of new EU customs rules on online shopping for Irish consumers.

Irish consumers who regularly snap up bargain buys online could soon find that cheap shopping is no longer quite so cheap. A new €3 customs charge on low-value parcels arriving from outside the European Union is due to come into effect from July 1, adding an extra cost to millions of purchases from popular retailers in Britain, China and the United States. Business representatives say the move could encourage more people to shop locally, while consumers accustomed to low-cost fashion, electronics and household goods may see the overall cost of online bargains begin to rise. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Margaret O’Brien Chamber, Ennis Chamber CEO, and Pat Clarke Browne, Munster Business in Shannon. Photo (c) HAKINMHAN from Getty Images via Canva

People in this episode

Host: Alan Morrissey

Guests: Margaret O’Brien, Pat Clarke Browne

Topics covered

  • customs charges
  • online shopping
  • EU regulations
  • consumer behavior
  • local shopping

Keywords

  • customs charge
  • low-value parcels
  • online bargains
  • shopping locally
  • consumer costs

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ennis Chamber, Munster Business

Places: Ireland, European Union, Britain, China, United States

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