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Consumer Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2021

Thursday, 28 January 2021

Questions (6, 10)

Neale Richmond

Question:

6. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consumers are protected if they order goods from a .ie web domain and then are faced with customs charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4638/21]

View answer

Seán Sherlock

Question:

10. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the guidance being given to consumers looking to buy from .ie domain names but are then being charged custom duties on items being shipped from the UK. [4822/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 10 together.

Now that the UK has formally left the EU single market on 1 January 2021, Irish consumers who are considering making online purchases are advised to exercise additional care.

A website with a .ie domain name, does not necessarily mean that the entity which owns and operates the website is based in Ireland.

ComReg appointed We Are Ireland Online.ie (www.weare.ie) as the relevant authority to register .ie domain names in accordance with Section 32. (4)(a) of the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act 2007. In order to register a .ie domain name, traders must apply to We Are Ireland Online.ie through their online application process. As part of their registration requirements, applicants must only have a connection to Ireland and be able to provide documentation to prove that connection. Therefore, websites with a .ie registration may not necessarily prove that the trader is based in Ireland.

Irish consumers should check the terms and conditions applying to purchases and verify where the trader is actually based. If an Irish consumer buys from a trader based outside the EU, then their purchases may attract additional taxes and charges when the items are landed in this country.

If Irish consumers purchase goods from UK online retailers, there is the possibility that additional costs above the purchase price of the good displayed by the UK retailer on their website may apply and that this will incur extra costs and perhaps red tape for the Irish consumer. Irish consumers have been advised that:

- only goods of proven UK origin are tariff free;

- goods bought from the UK but not of UK origin that cost more than €150 may be subject to customs duty when landed in Ireland;

- Irish VAT will apply on goods bought in the UK that cost more than €22; and

- where UK VAT has been charged on the purchase of goods, Irish VAT will still apply when the good(s) is imported into Ireland. If an Irish consumer is charged UK VAT on their transaction, they will need to seek a refund of such VAT directly from the supplier.

Concerning consumer rights, Irish consumers should be aware that EU consumer protection legislation that applies to goods bought in the EU single market.

The CCPC, in conjunction with other relevant State bodies, have been conducting information and awareness campaigns to remind Irish consumers of the changes and disruptions that they may encounter when dealing with UK online retailers after 1 January 2021. I would encourage Irish consumers to think ahead before buying and to visit the CCPC’s website (ccpc.ie) which has lots of clear and useful information on charges and consumer rights as well as helpful links to Revenue’s website (revenue.ie) which also provides information to Irish consumers who intend to purchase goods online outside the EU single market.

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