Starting tomorrow, July 1, the European Union will introduce a €3 customs charge on small parcels entering its 27 member states, targeting the surge in low-cost imports, most of them from China, sold through online platforms.
How the charge works
The €3 levy will apply to parcels valued below €150, which until now were exempt from customs duties.
The charge will be calculated per product type rather than per parcel.
For example:
- A package containing a T-shirt and a pair of shoes will incur two separate €3 charges.
- A package containing several T-shirts but no other type of product will incur a single €3 charge.
The measure is temporary and will remain in force until the EU implements a broader customs reform expected within the next two years.
Additional processing fees are also expected to be introduced from November to help fund customs services. The amount has not yet been finalized but could reach €2 per parcel.
Why the EU is introducing it
The EU originally planned to impose duties on low-value imports from 2028, but member states accelerated the move because of the rapid growth of online purchases through platforms such as Shein and Temu.
The goals are to:
- Protect consumers from potentially unsafe products.
- Support European retailers and manufacturers.
- Improve customs controls on imported goods.
Around 4.6 billion small parcels entered the EU in 2024, equivalent to more than 145 parcels every second. About 91% originated in China.
EU authorities argue that the volume of imports makes it difficult to ensure products comply with European standards, increasing the risk of unsafe or counterfeit goods reaching consumers.
Revenue from the charge will help fund inspections at airports and ports across the bloc.
Who pays?
Under EU rules, the charge is payable by importers or sellers.
However, companies may pass the cost on to consumers provided they clearly disclose it.
Consumer organisations have already warned shoppers to be alert to potential scams linked to the new charge.
Can online platforms avoid it?
Brussels says it will closely monitor any attempts to circumvent the measure, including routing products through third countries.
Customs duties are based on a product's country of origin rather than the country from which it is shipped.
Several major e-commerce companies are also expanding warehouse operations in Europe, allowing them to import goods in bulk and distribute them locally.
Those larger shipments will not be subject to the €3 charge because their value exceeds €150, but they will still face the standard customs duties applicable in the EU.
European authorities view this as a positive development because inspecting large consignments is far more efficient than processing millions of individual parcels.
Source: CNA
