Dublin: The Revenue Commissioners have issued a warning to consumers planning to shop online during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, particularly when buying goods from outside the European Union.
Revenue is advising shoppers to ensure that the advertised price includes all applicable taxes and duties before completing a purchase. If these costs are not included at checkout, buyers may face additional charges—such as VAT, customs duties, and handling fees—when the goods arrive in Ireland. These requirements apply to all goods shipped from non-EU countries, including the UK. Northern Ireland remains exempt from these rules.
Maureen Dalton, Head of Revenue’s South East Frontier Management Branch, stressed that these additional payments must be settled before delivery can take place.
Consumers seeking Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals are urged to check whether the retailer’s listed prices include Irish VAT and customs duties. Some online sellers provide “duty-paid” pricing, in which case no further Revenue charges will apply upon arrival.
However, if taxes and duties are not included—even when a website appears to show estimated import fees—customers may still be required to pay additional charges to postal services or couriers before the goods can be released. Revenue advises consumers to carefully review each retailer’s customs and tax policy.
If the website does not clearly state whether these costs are included, shoppers should assume they will be liable for VAT and customs duties upon importation.
Dalton also issued a warning about counterfeit goods and online scams.
“Counterfeit products are often poor in quality and may be unsafe. We are urging the public to remain vigilant during peak shopping periods and to avoid fraudulent sellers. Always buy from reputable sources and be cautious of prices that seem too good to be true,” she said.
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