EU imposes €3 small‑parcel fee

European Union member states approved a €3 customs duty on e-commerce parcels worth less than €150, with the new charge due to begin in July 2026. (ec.europa.eu) The European Commission said the duty targets the flood of low-value imports entering the bloc through online shopping platforms and direct-to-consumer sellers. (ec.europa.eu) Commission figures show customs authorities processed 4.6 billion low-value consignments in 2024, equal to roughly 12 million parcels a day, and 91% came from China. (ec.europa.eu 1) (ec.europa.eu 2) The measure replaces earlier discussion of a €2 handling fee for direct-to-consumer shipments and a €0.50 fee for parcels sent to warehouses. Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič outlined that approach in May 2025. (politico.eu) (usnews.com) The parcel duty sits inside a broader European Union customs overhaul that also removes the long-criticized duty exemption for imports valued at €150 or less. (ec.europa.eu 1) (ec.europa.eu 2) European retailers and several national customs agencies had argued the old threshold gave low-cost overseas sellers an advantage over stores that import in bulk, hold inventory locally and handle returns inside the bloc. (euronews.com) (usnews.com) The Commission also tied the reform to product-safety enforcement, saying many low-value imports were found not to comply with European Union rules. (ec.europa.eu) Temu, Shein and AliExpress were central to the political debate around the proposal because they helped drive the surge in direct shipments of cheap goods to European consumers. Reuters and Politico both reported those platforms were the main focus of the 2025 fee plan. (usnews.com) (politico.eu) The next step is implementation before July 2026, when shoppers buying low-cost goods from outside the European Union are expected to face the higher import bill one parcel at a time. (ec.europa.eu)