The Commission welcomes the decision on December 12, 2025, by EU Member States to introduce a 3 EUR customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below 150 EUR, starting in July 2026. The new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail.
Given the rapid increase in e-commerce goods being imported into the EU, the Commission and Member States have together acknowledged the need for an urgent solution, which will bridge the gap until the setting up of the EU Customs Data Hub in 2028, as part of the EU customs reform.
The Council and the Commission are working to enable the implementation of this temporary measure, through appropriate legal amendments and by ensuring a well-functioning IT framework.
A press release, with further details, is available online.
EU announces end of EUR 150 customs duty exemption threshold and introduction of flat rate of customs duty of EUR 3
- Abolition of Exemption Threshold: The EU finance ministers have decided to remove the EUR 150 exemption threshold for customs duties on consignments from third countries by 2026, accelerating the timeline from the previously planned 2028 implementation as part of a broader customs reform.
- Transition and New Duties: Starting July 1, 2026, a flat customs duty of EUR 3 will apply to all consignments under the threshold, with additional processing fees expected to be introduced by November 2026, affecting primarily e-commerce and online retailers.
- Impact on E-Commerce: The removal of the exemption is intended to create fair competition and prevent abuse by online retailers, particularly from China. This change may increase costs for EU consumers and could lead to a decline in e-commerce transactions with third countries if customs duties make purchases less profitable.
Source KMLZ
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