UPDATE: The European Union has just announced a significant new customs fee, imposing a €3 charge on all parcels valued under €150 entering the bloc, effective July 1, 2026. This urgent measure aims to target low-cost e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu and protect local retailers from unfair competition.
This decision, approved by EU finance ministers on Friday, responds to a dramatic surge in inexpensive imports, particularly from China. In 2024 alone, 4.6 billion parcels valued below €150 flooded into Europe, averaging more than 145 shipments every second. The sharp increase has overwhelmed customs authorities, leading to mounting complaints from European retailers about the influx of low-cost goods that often evade EU safety and environmental standards.
The fee will apply universally to all non-EU parcels, but officials emphasize its primary intent is to curb the dominance of Chinese-founded platforms. Under the new rules, each parcel will incur a flat €3 fee. If multiple identical items are shipped together, the fee will be charged just once. However, if a package contains a mix of different products, the fee will apply to each distinct category.
The enforcement of this customs duty comes shortly after the EU’s decision to eliminate a longstanding exemption that allowed low-value goods to enter without any charges. French Economy Minister Roland Lescure hailed the move, declaring, “The introduction of a flat-rate charge on small parcels is a major victory for the European Union.” He noted that this is a stopgap measure, as the EU plans to establish a more comprehensive framework for managing incoming shipments by 2028.
This new fee structure is expected to have a significant impact on e-commerce businesses that often split orders into multiple shipments to avoid fees. Retailers argue that this practice creates an uneven playing field, allowing overseas platforms to undercut prices while bypassing critical safety regulations. The EU’s latest decision aims to level the playing field and enhance customs controls, ensuring that all products entering the market meet European standards.
As the EU prepares for the implementation of this fee, stakeholders within the retail industry are closely monitoring developments. Additional processing fees on small parcels are anticipated to be introduced in November 2026 to further support enhanced customs controls.
With the new fee set to take effect in less than three years, e-commerce platforms and consumers alike need to brace for changes in shipping costs and practices. The EU’s approach marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to regulate international e-commerce and protect local economies.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.