Customs charges and forms

If you are buying goods online you may have to pay duty and tax on them, depending on the type of goods you purchase and where you buy them.

The Revenue Commissioners levy these charges and An Post collects them on their behalf. Learn more about customs charges on goods bought online for personal use.

If your goods are being delivered by An Post, we will calculate the amount you owe. You will need to pay this in cash or by cheque, before the goods are released to you.

If you can’t pay at the time or are not there when the postman calls, your item will be returned to the delivery office where it will be held for a number of days until you can arrange payment and collection.

A fee of 1% of the value of the packet or parcel, with a minimum charge of €10, is charged by An Post for customs clearance of parcels imported from countries outside the EU. This fee is in addition to any duty or VAT payable.

Customs have a statutory right to examine all parcels coming into the Republic of Ireland from outside the European Union. This may cause delays to their delivery.

Customs forms

When sending packets or parcels to destinations outside the European Union, a completed customs declaration is required and is available from your post office. An Post provides two customs forms:

• CP72 for parcels or items with a value in excess of €300
• CN22 for all other items

All customs information must be in English.

 An Aviation Security Declaration, to ensure compliance with airline security regulations, must be attached to all letters, packets or parcels containing goods sent within the EU, excluding Northern Ireland. See the full list of prohibited items which cannot be sent using the international postal services.

You must describe the contents of the item fully and accurately and include your name, address and signature.