EU customs fees trigger sharp decline in small parcel imports from China

New European Union customs fees on small parcels valued under 150 euros are significantly impacting import volumes, particularly from China. Since the implementation of a three-euro fee on July 1, Belgian customs reported a 53% decrease in the number of small parcel declarations. Other reports indicate declines between 30% and 40% in certain regions.

Data shows a shift in import structures; the average declared value of shipments has risen from 5.73 euros to 10.85 euros, suggesting that merchants and logistics companies are consolidating multiple items into larger shipments to mitigate costs. In Belgium alone, customs collected approximately 224 million euros in the first seven weeks of the new system.

Further cost increases are expected. A new handling fee for small e-commerce shipments is slated to be introduced by November 2026 to cover monitoring and control costs. The European Commission has yet to finalize the exact amount of this additional fee. These measures aim to curb the rapid influx of cheap goods, improve market oversight, and create fairer competition for European retailers.