Full Breakdown
EU Introduces €3 Duty on Low-Value E-Commerce Parcels
7/1/2026, 11:18:31 PM
EU Introduces €3 Duty on Low-Value E-Commerce Parcels
On 1 July 2026 the EU imposed a €3 customs charge per category on parcels under €150 from non-EU sellers. The fee applies per HS code, so a mixed parcel can cost €3, €6 or €9. It is temporary, to be replaced by category-specific duties from 1 July 2028 with the new EU Customs Authority.
Background
The de minimis exemption let parcels under €150 enter duty-free. Imports rose from 1.4 billion in 2022 to 5.8 billion in 2025, driven by Chinese platforms Shein, Temu and AliExpress. The United States ended its de minimis regime in May 2026, prompting the EU to act on competition, safety and environmental concerns.
Key Figures
Key figures are Dutch MEP Dirk Gotink, Derek Lossing of Cirrus Global Advisors, Laura Clays of Testachats and EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath. Platforms include AliExpress (Alibaba) and Amazon.
Data Snapshot
In 2025, 5.8 billion parcels under €150 entered the EU, 93 % via IOSS. Inspections flagged over 60 % of toys, cosmetics and electronics as non-compliant; Testachats estimates about 70 % of parcels fail safety rules. Only 0.006 % are physically checked. Analysts expect a 10-35 % drop in e-commerce shipments after the fee.
Official Statements & Responses
Commission said the duty “levels the playing field for European retailers and strengthens consumer protection.” AliExpress will add a “Price includes duties and VAT” label on affected listings. Amazon said 97 % of its EU deliveries come from EU warehouses and that import charges will be shown before checkout.
Criticism & Opposition
Testachats warned the 0.006 % inspection rate leaves unsafe goods unchecked. Greenpeace Germany flagged hazardous chemicals in imports. Critics say the €3 charge could raise prices for low-value purchases, strain small sellers and shift logistics from air to sea without guaranteeing compliance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on non-compliance: EU customs cite “over 60 %,” Testachats reports “around 70 %,” while Greenpeace notes “32 % of apparel.” Air-freight loss estimates range from 10 % to 35 %.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In a different trading world this made a lot of sense, but that world doesn't exist anymore. It's been turned on its head by e-commerce, especially from China,” — Dirk Gotink, Dutch MEP
- “The question is how effective the platforms are in pivoting to other markets,” — Derek Lossing, Cirrus Global Advisors
- “I think only 0.006 per cent of parcels get checked by customs. The number of products coming into Europe means not all of them can be tested” — Laura Clays, Testachats
- “The EU justice commissioner, Michael McGrath, also expressed “shock” at the dangers of some of the items entering the EU through the de minimis route.” — Michael McGrath, EU Justice Commissioner
What’s Next
From July 2028 the EU will replace the flat €3 charge with category-specific duties. The EU Customs Authority will centralise data, and platforms like Shein are expanding warehouses in the bloc (e.g., Wroclaw, Poland) to limit cost impacts. Ongoing monitoring will track effects on prices, competition and customs capacity.
