An Post has joined a call for a six-month delay to the EU €3 customs charge, according to The Irish Times. The European Commission says its timeline remains the same, so the €3 duty per item on non-EU online purchases is due to apply from 1 July.
At a glance
- Requested delay
- Six months
- From
- 1 July
- Cost
- €3 per item in a parcel
- Who it affects
- People buying goods online from outside the EU, including the UK
- Commission response
- Timeline remains the same
On this page
Why An Post wants a delay
An Post chief executive David McRedmond joined 19 other postal groups in Europe in calling for a six-month postponement. Their letter said the final legal text would be available only four weeks before 1 July.
The postal groups said that timetable made it impossible for businesses and operators to be fully compliant.
A European Commission spokesperson said it was assessing the letter. The Commission said it had been in contact with postal operators since January and that its timeline remains the same.
DHL, FedEx and UPS seek a phased approach
DHL, FedEx and UPS wrote to EU finance ministers seeking a phased approach to the new customs rules for low-value parcels, according to The Loadstar.
They said shipments faced a real risk of being held up at EU borders without a stable and workable legal framework.
What to budget for in Ireland
If you buy goods online from a non-EU country, including the UK, budget for the duty from 1 July. The charge is €3 for each item in a parcel.
Count the items in your parcel when calculating the duty. A parcel containing 3 items would carry €9 in duty: 3 multiplied by €3.
Questions
Has the EU €3 parcel customs charge been delayed?
The European Commission says its timeline remains the same. The €3 duty is due to apply from 1 July.
Does the €3 charge apply to online purchases from the UK?
Yes. The duty applies to goods bought online from non-EU countries, including the UK, at €3 for each item in a parcel.
How long a delay has An Post requested?
An Post and 19 other postal groups called for a six-month delay. Their letter said the final legal text would be available only four weeks before the start date.
Sources
- The Irish Times: An Post chief joins call for EU to delay €3 customs charge for small parcels, read 5 June 2026
- The Loadstar: DHL, FedEx, UPS warn EU parcel tax risks disruption at borders, read 5 June 2026
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PostCompare news desk
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