EU Announces Urgent €3 Fee on Small Parcel Imports by 2026
UPDATE: The European Union has just announced a significant €3 customs fee on all parcels valued under €150, set to take effect on July 1, 2026. This urgent measure targets low-cost e-commerce platforms, notably Shein and Temu, in a bid to protect local retailers and improve customs enforcement.
The decision comes after EU finance ministers convened on Friday, aiming to address the overwhelming influx of inexpensive imports, primarily from China. With over 4.6 billion parcels valued under €150 entering the EU in 2024, this new fee is seen as essential to curbing the rapid growth of ultra-low-cost goods that have been flooding the market, forcing European retailers to compete under unfair conditions.
Under the new regulations, each parcel will incur a flat charge of €3. If shipments contain multiple identical items, the fee applies only once. However, for mixed parcels, the charge will apply per product category, potentially increasing costs for platforms that split orders into smaller shipments.
The EU’s previous customs exemption, akin to the U.S. “de minimus” rule, has drawn criticism for facilitating a surge in low-cost imports. According to EU data, about 91 percent of these parcels originate from China, exacerbating competition issues for local businesses that must adhere to stringent EU safety and environmental standards.
Roland Lescure, France’s economy minister, heralded this fee as a “major victory for the European Union,” emphasizing its role as a temporary solution while a more comprehensive framework for managing e-commerce imports is developed. The EU plans additional processing fees starting in November 2026 to bolster customs controls further.
As this situation develops, EU officials are working toward a permanent framework for taxing small parcels, anticipated to be finalized by 2028. This urgent action reflects growing concerns among European retailers and customs authorities about the challenges posed by the increasing volume of low-cost imports.
Stay tuned for more updates as the EU implements these crucial changes to its customs regulations, reshaping the landscape of e-commerce within the bloc.
