EU Implements New Customs Duty on Low‑Value Packages from China

The European Union has abolished the exemption that allowed parcels valued up to €150 to enter the bloc duty‑free. A flat customs fee of €3 per product category will now be applied to all shipments from non‑EU sellers, meaning a single‑category package costs €3 and a mixed‑category parcel can cost €6 or €9.

The measure targets cheap‑price Chinese e‑commerce platforms such as Temu, Shein and similar marketplaces. Officials say it will curb unfair competition, improve product safety and make customs controls easier. Daily, roughly 12 million small parcels from outside the EU arrive in Europe, about 400 000 of them in Germany alone.

Consumers in the Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia and other EU states will see higher checkout prices as the fee is passed on by the platforms. Critics note the rule does not affect shipments that originate from EU‑based warehouses, and question how much the small charge will alter buying behaviour.