Such shipments will now be subject to a fixed customs duty of €3 per parcel. The new rules are introduced from July 1, 2026 to support local retailers and level the playing field between foreign and European sellers.
According to TaylorWessing, the decision comes as part of a revamped EU customs regulation aimed at strengthening e-commerce controls and improving competitive conditions for European sellers. The previous scheme allowed most parcels from abroad to be duty-free. This gave Asian online retailers a price advantage.
In 2024, for example, 91% of all e-commerce shipments under €150 came from China – meaning the vast majority of small parcels in the EU were from that country. According to according to According to the European Commission, the volume of such shipments continued to grow in 2025 to 5.8 billion small e-commerce parcels, up 26% from 2024. Most of the growth is also attributed to Asian platforms, including Chinese marketplaces.
The new €3 duty will apply to every product or shipment imported from outside the EU. Experts note that this measure does not completely abolish all duties and taxes, but becomes the first stage of the reform. In the following years, the rules assume the gradual inclusion of such shipments in the standard customs and tax procedure. And this may entail charging VAT and other fees at the full rate.
The new rules will apply to all international online marketplaces that send goods directly to European customers without warehouses in the EU.
