EU implements parcel levy to address surge in low-value imports

The European Union has introduced a €3 levy on small parcels entering its 27-member states as of Wednesday, aiming to curb the escalation of low-cost goods primarily originating from China.

[span class=”m-pub-dates__date”]Issued on: 01/07/2026 – 08:54[/span] [span class=”a-reading-time__icon” title=”Reading time”][/span] 2 min [span class=”u-sr-only”]Reading time[/span]

The European Commission, responsible for EU trade policy, stated this decision aims to alleviate customs duty financial strain following a rapid increase in imports and to address safety concerns associated with unregulated goods.

[h2]EU imports[/h2]

Almost six billion small retail packages entered the bloc from abroad last year, primarily from China, and increasingly via popular online platforms such as Shein and Temu, up from 4.6 billion in 2024.

The EU will remove the duty exemption on parcels valued under €150, introducing a temporary €3 levy per item.

Although proposed last year, several EU member states implemented their own duties earlier.

These member states must now cease their individual duties, according to a senior European official.

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The levy will remain in place until July 1, 2028, after which standard customs duties will apply depending on the product type.

The United States has eliminated a similar duty exemption, and the United Kingdom plans to do the same.

Brussels asserts this measure is not specific to China but aims to ensure equitable conditions for businesses and goods entering the market.

“This is about establishing uniform rules for our businesses and goods entering our territory online,” stated an EU official.

Customs authorities are overwhelmed by the volume of small packages from overseas, according to the European Commission, and the exemption on small parcels has provided importers a competitive advantage.

European businesses also note their adherence to stringent EU regulations, citing statistics indicating many foreign products fail to meet EU standards.

[h2]Four-fold increase[/h2]

Targeted inspections across the EU in 2025 revealed over 60 percent of imported items, such as toys, cosmetics, and electronics, contained banned ingredients, lacked labels, or were missing safety documentation.

“It is barely manageable, and routine checks are virtually impossible,” stated Bernd Lange, head of the EU parliament’s trade committee.

Bernd Lange highlighted data showing a quadrupling of small parcels from abroad between 2022 and 2025, rising from 1.39 billion to 5.88 billion.

The EU emphasizes that the levy will be paid by the importer, not the consumer.

“Consumers purchasing online are not legally obligated to pay the duties,” mentioned a senior European official.

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However, he cautioned that online platforms might transfer the cost to consumers.

The EU will also monitor for potential evasion and any attempts to route small parcels through countries like Switzerland.

Some online giants are exploring the establishment of warehouses within Europe to import goods in bulk and facilitate easier distribution across the continent.

To enhance product tracking, the EU will require reference details for products starting November 1, 2026.

The EU also plans to introduce a handling fee beginning November 2026 to assist customs authorities in managing increased costs associated with growing parcel volumes.

The handling fee amount is yet to be determined.

[em]— with AFP[/em]

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