Amazon warns Irish customers about new post-Brexit charges

Another indication of what Brexit will mean for Irish people.

Amazon has written to Irish customers to warn them that using the '.co.uk' version of the site from European countries could result in new charges being incurred. The online retailer says one of the new charges would relate to the buyer being liable for the cost of returning products unless they are damaged or the wrong product. The change would affect anyone with a delivery address in the EU. In their email Amazon said:

 "We will continue to accept eligible returns. If the reason for return is the result of an error (e.g. if the item is defective / damaged / incorrect), any costs incurred for the return will be paid by Amazon. Otherwise, any costs incurred for the return (including transport costs, as well as any associated import fees or customs where applicable) will be payable by the person returning the goods https://www.amazon.co.uk/returnshelp."

In their email Amazon also flagged up potential 'import fees' for EU customers saying:

We wanted to let you know that from 1 January 2021, when the Brexit transition period ends, you’ll see some changes when you shop on  Amazon.co.uk  and select an EU delivery address. These changes could include: "- VAT being due in the country of delivery, or your package may be subject to customs duties, taxes and fees (“Import Fees”) - the collection of VAT, or an estimation of Import Fees (“Import Fee Deposit”  https://www.amazon.co.uk/ifd ), which may result in a price change at checkout.

The changes would, in effect, make shopping from the UK similar to buying goods from America or China. In the ongoing Brexit negotiations, Boris Johnson travels to Brussels today to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to try and hammer out a trade deal.