EU Cuts Low‑Value Parcel Influx by Half After Introducing €3 Duty on Chinese Shipments

Published on 14/09/2026 – 13:40 GMT+2

The number of small parcels valued under €150 entering Europe has dropped by almost 50 % since 1 July, after the EU imposed a €3 flat fee on such shipments, according to Dutch and Belgian customs data.

In Belgium, small‑parcel arrivals fell 53 % year‑on‑year, while Dutch customs recorded a 46 % decline, especially for shipments from China. Together, the Netherlands and Belgium account for nearly half of all low‑value parcels entering the EU from outside the bloc.

Dutch officials cautioned that the reduction could reflect a shift in business practices rather than a pure drop in volume, noting that many firms are now opting for bulk imports and EU‑based warehousing to serve consumers locally.

The temporary levy was introduced after policymakers warned about the surge of Chinese e‑commerce, which has flooded the single market with billions of low‑value packages.

European Commission figures show that in 2024, goods worth €4.6 billion under the €150 threshold entered the EU, averaging about 12 million parcels per day—up from €2.3 billion in 2023 and €1.4 billion in 2022.

The sheer volume and the fragmented customs landscape make effective monitoring difficult, increasing the risk of illicit goods slipping through.

A 2025 peer‑reviewed study published in Contact Dermatitis examined 111 clothing items from Italy and the wider EU, finding that 63 % contained carcinogenic, endocrine‑disrupting, or sensitising substances. Similar conclusions have been drawn by Greenpeace and the European Consumer Organisation.

“The €3 import duty that has been in place since 1 July has already cut the parcel flow dramatically, but more work remains,” said Dutch MEP Dirk Gotink, who oversees the customs reform for the European Parliament. “The upcoming legislation will give EU and national customs the tools they need to protect businesses and consumers, modernising customs work with a central data hub, a European Customs Authority in Lille, more risk‑based checks, and stronger cross‑border cooperation.”

Gotink was referring to the broader customs overhaul the EU is preparing, which aims to simplify tracking of goods entering from outside the union. As part of the reform, a data hub will be established in Lille, France, to collect and analyse customs information, with the new customs authority expected to become operational by 2028.

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