EU introduces €3 per-item customs fee on low‑value imports

From 1 July 2026 the European Union ends the exemption on customs duties for parcels valued at €150 or less that arrive from third‑country sellers. A fixed fee of €3 is applied to each product category in the shipment, with VAT still payable. The measure targets fast‑fashion and marketplace platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress, which have previously shipped millions of low‑value packages from China and other non‑EU countries.

The fee is temporary, remaining in force until the new EU customs data system launches in mid‑2028, after which normal duties will apply. Sellers are now classified as importers and must ensure product safety, exposing them to possible sanctions. The rule aims to curb customs fraud, level the playing field for EU businesses, and improve consumer protection, while potentially adding extra costs and longer clearance times for online shoppers.