UPDATE: The European Union has just confirmed a new €3 customs fee on small parcels valued under €150, set to take effect on July 1, 2026. This urgent move specifically targets e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu, aiming to protect local retailers and bolster customs control amid a surge in low-cost imports.
The decision was made by EU finance ministers on Friday, following a significant increase in inexpensive shipments entering the bloc, with 4.6 billion parcels valued under €150 arriving in 2024 alone—over 145 every second. A staggering 91 percent of these parcels originated from China, overwhelming customs officials and intensifying complaints from European retailers about unfair competition.
Under the new regulations, every parcel shipped from outside the EU will incur a flat fee of €3. While identical items shipped together will attract the fee only once, mixed product categories will incur the charge for each category, potentially raising costs for platforms that split orders into multiple shipments.
European retailers have long argued that overseas platforms benefit from bypassing EU safety and consumer protection standards, allowing them to offer low-priced goods that undercut local businesses. French economy minister Roland Lescure hailed the fee as a “major victory for the European Union,” emphasizing that it serves as a temporary solution while a more permanent customs framework is developed.
This new fee comes just weeks after the EU decided to eliminate a longstanding customs duty exemption that had allowed inexpensive items to enter the market unchecked. The fee is expected to remain in place temporarily as the EU works toward a comprehensive reform of the customs union, projected for 2028.
Officials anticipate additional processing fees on small parcels will be enacted by November 2026 to further enhance customs controls. As the EU braces for the implications of this fee, retailers and consumers alike are urged to prepare for potential changes in e-commerce dynamics across the bloc.
As this critical situation develops, the EU’s actions could reshape the landscape of online shopping and affect millions of consumers and businesses. Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding story.
