Buying goods online for personal use

Fraudulent Emails, SMS (Text Messages) and Phone Calls

Revenue is aware that fraudsters may try to take advantage of the new customs duty charge. Please note that Revenue will never send emails or SMS (Text Messages) which require consumers or individuals to click on a link and pay a Customs Duty charge.

If you receive a message saying you must pay customs charges, you should stop and check if it is legitimate before clicking any links in the message. The actions below can help you protect yourself from scammers: 

• Revenue will never contact you looking for customs charges.  
• If charges are due on delivery they will always be paid to the courier, postal operator or customs clearance agent.
• Think back – have you already paid these customs charges at checkout? 
• Check the courier’s website for info on how they’ll ask you to pay.  
• An Post, for instance, will never send a link in a text message. Any customs text claiming to be from An Post that includes a clickable payment link is a scam.  

Customers should remain vigilant of these scams and only open links where they are confident it is genuine.

Further information

If you require further information on any of the above, contact  the E-Commerce Unit.