EU to levy €3 flat customs fee on low‑value parcels from China

From 1 July 2026 the European Union will end the de‑minimis exemption for shipments from non‑EU countries valued up to €150. A temporary flat customs charge of €3 will be applied for each customs tariff category in a parcel, a measure that will remain in force until 1 July 2028.

The change targets cheap online purchases from platforms such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress, making small orders from China more expensive for consumers and prompting sellers to consider relocating warehouses into the EU. A further handling fee is slated to start in November 2026, further raising costs for low‑value imports.