EU imposes €3 fee on low‑value parcels from non‑EU countries, hitting Greek online shoppers

From 1 July, a new European Union measure charges a €3 fee for each distinct product category in parcels valued up to €150 that are shipped to Greece from countries outside the EU. The fee applies to orders from platforms such as Temu, Shein, Trendyol, Alibaba and also to micro‑parcels from Amazon and eBay. It is calculated per item type – for example, a parcel containing a book, a notebook and a pen would incur a €9 surcharge. The charge is collected by EU customs authorities and will fund a future customs law slated for 2028, after which normal tariff rules will resume. The temporary rule, set to expire on 30 June 2028, aims to curb unfair competition from low‑priced imports that often bypass EU product safety standards. The fee is not refundable on simple consumer returns, though refunds are possible for defective goods under customs procedures. Greek consumers are expected to see higher costs on many small online orders, prompting changes in purchasing habits.