Post Office encourages customers to ‘beat’ new EU Customs duty

Portugal’s postal operator CTT is warning customers to expect a more complex customs clearance process from July 1, when new European Union rules will require duty to be paid on imported parcels valued at up to €150.

In a statement issued today, CTT urges customers with parcels awaiting customs clearance to complete the process by June 29, before the new regime comes into force.

Under the new EU rules, imports from outside the bloc worth up to €150 will no longer be exempt from duty. Instead, they will be subject to a fixed €3 customs charge, alongside applicable IVA.

CTT advises consumers shopping from non-EU retailers to check carefully whether customs duties and IVA are already included in the purchase price.

“If these charges are not included, customers in Portugal will also have to pay CTT’s customs clearance service fee in addition to the customs duties and IVA,” the company said.

The postal operator also warned that the regulatory change is expected to make customs processing more complicated – particularly for low-value online purchases from countries outside the European Union – but it stresses that non-commercial gifts exchanged between private individuals will continue to benefit from an exemption from extra charges, provided their value does not exceed €45.

The changes form part of the European Union’s efforts to tighten customs controls and apply a more consistent import duty regime to goods entering the bloc, including the rapidly growing volume of low-value e-commerce shipments from outside the EU.

Source: LUSA

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.