EU action on the influx of small parcels
The EU is taking action to manage the rapid increase in the number of small parcels entering the single market, largely via e-commerce.
Managing the surge in the number of small parcels
Every day large numbers of small, low-value packages arrive in the EU. According to the European Commission, 4.6 billion e-commerce parcels valued under €150 were imported into the EU in 2024, with 91% of those shipments coming from China.
This rapid growth has put pressure on customs authorities and created three key problems.
Unfair competition for EU businesses, as some non-EU sellers bypass customs duties.
Consumer risks, including dangerous or non-compliant products entering the market.
Environmental impacts caused by the splitting of shipments into many small parcels.
The 27 EU member states have agreed on a combination of short-term and long-term measures to address these problems.
The long-term solutions include removing the customs duty exemption threshold and introducing a new handling fee for low-value parcels.
As the removal of the customs duty threshold will only enter into force in 2028, the EU has also adopted a short-term measure introducing a fixed customs duty of €3 on items in small parcels valued at less than €150 entering the EU.
Removing the customs duty threshold
In November 2025, the Council agreed to eliminate the €150 customs duty relief threshold, which currently allows goods valued at less than €150 to enter the EU without incurring any customs duties.
Under the new rules, customs duties will be charged from the first euro of a consignment's value upon its entry into the EU, aligning the system with existing VAT rules.
The new measure will take effect once the EU customs data hub — the EU's new centralised system for processing customs data — becomes operational.
Temporary €3 customs duty
Given the urgency of the situation, the Council agreed to apply a fixed customs duty of €3 on items in small parcels valued at less than €150 entering the EU.
This measure will be applied from 1 July 2026 and will remain in place until the EU customs data hub becomes operational.
How the duty is calculated
The €3 duty will apply to all parcels valued at less than €150 entering the EU. It is charged per item category and not per parcel.
For example, if a parcel contains two toys, one woolen coat and three bottles of shampoo, the duty is calculated per category of goods. Each product type forms one category, and a €3 duty applies to each. With three categories, the total duty comes to €9.
New EU handling fee
On 26 March 2026, the Council and the Parliament agreed to introduce a new handling fee on small consignments sold through distance selling, such as e-commerce.
This fee aims to:
- help cover the costs of customs controls and monitoring
- support customs authorities in managing the growing volume of parcels
The new rules also clarify who is responsible for customs. Platforms and sellers sending goods into the EU by distance sale are considered the importer. They are responsible for all customs formalities and payments, and not the final EU consumer.
Operators that repeatedly fail to meet their obligations face financial penalties.
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Viimati läbi vaadatud: 22. juuni 2026