EU Introduces 3‑Euro Duty on Low‑Value Online Packages from 2026

From 1 July 2026 the European Union will apply a uniform flat customs charge of €3 per tariff category to every parcel valued under €150 that arrives from a non‑EU country. The fee is calculated per item category, so a mixed‑goods parcel can be taxed twice. A further handling fee of about €2 per parcel is slated for November 2026, raising the minimum charge to roughly €5.

The measure ends the long‑standing exemption for low‑value goods and is intended to modernise customs and curb the flood of inexpensive fast‑fashion items. Authorities will require electronic tracking data for each package, enabling checks for hazardous chemicals; experts warn that 70 %‑80 % of such textile imports currently fail safety standards.

Consumers are already feeling the impact. In Poland a shopper reported paying 160 zł instead of 90 zł for a small order after the €3 fee was applied, prompting many to abandon Chinese platforms such as Temu and return to domestic marketplaces. The new duty is expected to reduce the volume of cheap parcels entering the EU and alter online‑shopping behaviour across member states.