EU to Charge €3 on Low-Value Parcels from 2026

Starting in July 2026, the EU will impose a €3 customs duty on small parcels valued under €150. This change targets the surge in online shopping, particularly from Chinese platforms like Shein and Temu. Initially, the EU planned to remove the €150 exemption by 2028, but they sped up the process. The EU is concerned about the massive influx of cheap parcels from China that often bypass customs fees. Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič supports this move, seeing it as a step toward fair competition. Bernd Lange, chair of Parliament’s trade committee, agrees but wishes the EU had set an earlier deadline.Customs workers are struggling with the high volume of packages. To address this, the EU is working on a larger reform. This includes a handling fee for national authorities and a customs data hub to streamline the process. The data hub will help accurately value parcels and apply the correct duties. Dirk Gotink, Parliament’s lead negotiator, sees this as a temporary fix. He believes the EU should eventually move to a system that correctly values all products. However, the Council and Parliament couldn't finalize the talks this week, so discussions will continue next year.