Those who thought they would be saving some euros by buying health products from overseas are being asked to fork out an additional fee when their items land in Malta.

Readers of Times of Malta have complained that irrespective of whether they are from the EU or third countries, health products including food supplements such as vitamins, which do not require a prescription, are being subjected to an additional charge.

One reader was informed that such products are forwarded to the Port Health Office (PHO) and a €5 charge applied on every item sent there for inspection.

When contacted, the health authorities informed the newspaper that Maltapost was charging customers the new fee and that such items have always been forwarded to the PHO.

Apart from questioning why Maltese customers were being subjected to an additional charge for EU products, a letter to Times of Malta asked whether this constituted a trade barrier.

A €5 charge applied on every item sent for inspection

A Maltapost spokesman told the newspaper that all health products went through Customs, and it was the latter who decided what to release for distribution, and what needed to be sent to the PHO.

Once an item was given the green light, it was sent back to Customs and then released for distribution, he noted. This applied to all items, irrelevant of their origin and Maltapost was just the messenger in between.

This daily process required manpower and therefore came at a cost for the company.

Maltapost introduced a €5 fee for every item that is flagged by Customs in January, after it reviewed its costs and informed the Malta Communications Authority of the changes.

Asked why Maltapost did not request a public health officer to go to its offices to inspect the packages flagged by Customs, the spokesman said that this practice was in place some years ago, however the officer would only be able to drop by once a week or once in 10 days.