Importing: Duty & Tax

Before you see horrendously good deals online and splash out on a monster home cinema from America, bear the following in mind:

• Shipments sent from outside the EU may be liable for Customs Duty, Excise Duty and VAT
• VAT on goods is calculated using the rate the same goods sold in Ireland would use (21% for electronics)
  
• VAT is calculated on the total of the price of the goods, shipping, insurance, duty and other taxes
• Gifts from one private individual to another up to the value of €45 are exempt from Duty and VAT
• Commercial shipments up to €22 are exempt from VAT and Duty (note: this is set to rise to €150 on December 1st)
  
• Cigarettes, perfume and alcohol are never exempt, but we're not interested in them right now.
• For one off shipments where the value of the goods is less than €250 and the Import Duty due is less than €10 then an exemption from VAT and Duty may also be granted to customers who are VAT registered

Of course not every shipment is stopped and held by customs. All I can say is if you do decide to import, be VAT registered if it's less than €250 total. And if it's greater, start praying.

Note: I in NO WAY condone avoiding tax. But if you are not legally obliged to pay it, don't.

Sources
dhl.ie
revenue.ie