From today, 1 November, a €2 EU Handling Fee applies across the European Union to goods bought online from countries outside the EU. For parcels worth up to €150, it is added to the €3 duty that has applied since July.
What the fee is for
The new Union Handling Fee (UHF) applies from today to goods bought through distance sales from countries outside the European Union. It is set at €2 per item type and is intended to cover the cost of customs checks and the handling of imported parcels.
Charged per product category, not per piece
The fee is calculated per different type or category of product in the parcel, not per piece. So two identical T-shirts count as one item type, while a T-shirt and a pair of earrings count as two. Customs classification takes into account the product code and description.
How much shoppers will pay
For purchases worth up to €150, the new fee is added to the temporary duty of €3 per item type, which has applied since 1 July. For example:
- Two identical products (one category): €5 in total (€3 duty + €2 fee)
- A parcel with two different product categories: €10 in total (2 × €3 duty + 2 × €2 fee)
VAT may be added to these amounts if it was not already paid at the time of purchase.
For parcels worth more than €150, the €2 fee still applies, while duties are calculated at the standard rates for the products concerned.
When and how to pay
Consumers may pay the charges at checkout, if the platform collects them, or before delivery through the postal service or courier. Who pays first depends on who submits the customs declaration. The platform, the seller or the courier may pass the cost on to the buyer.
Extra charge for Cyprus Post deliveries
For items sent via Cyprus Post, there is also a separate customs presentation fee of €3.50 per postal item when it is subject to taxes or import duties. Cyprus Post says this charge is added to the tax and customs charges regardless of whether these were paid in advance.
As a result, for a single item in a parcel worth up to €150, the duty, the EU fee and the customs presentation fee together come to €8.50, before any VAT. This is a Cyprus Post charge, separate from the new EU fee.
Source: Council of the EU, Cyprus Customs Department and Cyprus Post
