Amazon turns off Ireland's electronic Christmas

19 Dec 2006

Confusion over the way the WEEE directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) is implemented in different European states has prompted Amazon to cease shipping qualifying products to the Repubic of Ireland (IE).

A spokesman told The Register: "Amazon.co.uk does not deliver certain items to the Republic of Ireland because of the implementation of rules relating to the EU WEEE directive.

"The issue relates to the IE treatment of non IE based distance sellers such as ourselves. We are deemed "producers" as far as the IE are concerned which makes us responsible as EU Importers - in fact we are not EU importers at all but source all products from within the EU."

This means Amazon is hit by the Irish WEEE waste tariff when it sells into the Irish Republic, even though equivalent tariffs have already been paid by the producers of the kit in question.

The company says while it is committed to recycling it feels a double tariff is unfair.

The European Union will be reviewing the implementation of the directive in all member states next year. Amazon says it hopes the EU will agree with its view. It hopes to be able to start selling to Ireland again once the position is "clarified".

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