The EU €3 customs duty for low-value parcels is here

Have you noted that since July 1, 2026, the European Union has abolished the long-standing €150 customs duty exemption, replacing it with a flat €3 customs duty per item on all low-value e-commerce goods imported from outside the EU. The duty is levied based on the tariff classification rather than the parcel itself (e.g., ordering three distinct types of items incurs a €9 duty). This temporary measure runs until July 1, 2028, pending the rollout of the comprehensive EU Customs Data Hub.

The regulation is designed to level the playing field for local European businesses facing intense competition from overseas e-commerce, and it ensures that all incoming goods comply with safety and declaration standards.

This flat duty is a separate charge from a potential handling fee to cover customs processing, which will be implemented later in 2026.

For further actionable details on how the EU Commission calculates this rate and its specific application, review the official Questions and answers on €3 customs duty – European Commission.