MILLIONS OF ONLINE shoppers could soon face extra charges on orders from websites such as Temu, Shein, AliExpress and some Amazon Marketplace sellers under new EU customs rules coming into force next month.

From 1 July, a new customs duty of €3 per item will apply to goods worth €150 or less that are bought online from outside the European Union, including Great Britain.

The change means many low-cost purchases that previously avoided customs duties will become more expensive.

Revenue has warned consumers to check where goods are being shipped from before placing an order, as some websites that appear Irish or European may actually dispatch products from non-EU countries.

The new charge applies per distinct item rather than per parcel.

For example, a package containing a notebook, a pen and a keyring would attract €9 in customs duty, as each product is treated as a separate item.

A parcel containing two identical T-shirts, however, would be treated as a single item and incur a €3 charge.

The duty will also be included when calculating VAT, increasing the overall cost further.

How shoppers pay the charge will depend on the retailer.

Some websites will collect the customs duty at checkout, meaning the final price is paid upfront. Others may leave the charge to be collected by An Post or courier companies before delivery.

Revenue is advising consumers to check retailers’ terms and conditions carefully to avoid unexpected bills when parcels arrive.

The new rules could also make returns more costly.

If a customer simply changes their mind and sends an item back, the €3 customs duty will not be refunded. Customs authorities will only refund the charge if goods are faulty.

VAT refunds for returned goods will depend on the retailer’s own refund policy.

The changes are part of a wider EU effort to create what officials describe as a fairer trading environment for European businesses, which have long argued that low-value imports from outside the bloc enjoyed an advantage over domestic retailers.

There will be no customs duty on goods already located within Ireland or elsewhere in the EU when they are purchased.