EU Enacts €3 Fee on Small Parcel Imports to Curb E-Commerce Surge

The European Union is set to implement a €3 customs fee on all parcels valued under €150 starting from July 1, 2026. This decision, made by EU finance ministers, aims to regulate the influx of low-cost e-commerce imports from platforms such as Shein and Temu. The move is part of a broader strategy to protect local retailers and strengthen customs controls across member states.

The new fee will apply to parcels arriving from outside the EU and is designed to address the surge in shipments that have overwhelmed customs authorities. In 2024, approximately 4.6 billion parcels valued under €150 entered the EU, with around 91 percent of these shipments originating from China. The volume of these imports has more than tripled since 2022, leading to increased complaints from European retailers about unfair competition and safety concerns regarding products bypassing EU standards.

Under the new regulations, each parcel will incur a flat charge of €3. If multiple identical items are included, such as shirts, the fee will only apply once. However, for parcels containing a mix of product categories, each category will incur its own fee. This structure means that platforms that divide orders into several shipments could face significantly higher overall costs.

European Commission data indicates that the removal of a longstanding customs duty exemption has prompted a dramatic rise in such low-cost imports. This exemption, akin to the “de minimis” rule in the United States, previously allowed many inexpensive items to enter the EU without incurring duties, leading to a flood of low-priced products on the market.

Officials within the EU have emphasized that this fee specifically targets platforms founded in China, in response to the challenges posed by these e-commerce giants. French Economy Minister Roland Lescure hailed the introduction of this customs charge as a significant victory for the EU, stating, “The fee is seen as a stopgap as the EU works to set up a more permanent framework to handle billions of incoming shipments across the bloc.”

Looking ahead, the €3 fee is expected to remain in place temporarily while the EU develops a more comprehensive framework for taxing small parcels, which is part of broader reforms to the EU customs union scheduled for completion by 2028. Additional processing fees on small parcels are anticipated to be introduced in November 2026 to further support enhanced customs operations.

The EU’s actions reflect ongoing concerns among local retailers who argue that overseas e-commerce platforms exploit loopholes to sell low-cost goods that often do not meet EU product safety, environmental, and consumer protection standards. The introduction of the customs fee is seen as a necessary measure to level the playing field for European businesses and improve the integrity of the market.