European Union implements new customs fees on low-value imports

The European Union has implemented new customs regulations affecting imports from third countries, specifically targeting low-value shipments. As of July 1, a temporary flat-rate fee of 3 euros per item category has been introduced for parcels valued up to 150 euros, replacing previous exemptions. This fee is intended to modernize the EU customs system and address the rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce.

The impact is already visible on major Chinese e-commerce platforms. In Poland, user numbers for Temu dropped by more than 20 percent in the first month of the new rules, falling from 16.68 million in June to 13.6 million in July. AliExpress also saw a decline of over 15 percent, with users dropping from approximately 9.98 million to 8.43 million in the same period.

These changes affect not only direct consumer purchases but also businesses importing automotive parts and accessories. While the 3-euro fee may represent a significant portion of the value for very cheap individual items, its impact on more expensive goods is expected to be minimal. The reform aims to curb practices where companies previously split orders into multiple small packages to avoid duties.