A €3 fee also came into force in July, leading to a 60% drop in small parcel imports over three months. The new rules aim to counter imports from Chinese platforms, whose low prices threaten European retailers.
The new €2 fee, which comes into force on 1 November, will apply to all packages, regardless of their value, and will cover customs handling costs. It comes in addition to the €3 duty.
In 2024, 91% of those shipments came from China, posing fierce competition for European retailers.
So we’re not going to care about the remaining 9%?
For example, a package valued at €10 containing a pen, notebook and key ring purchased online and sent from outside the EU contains three different items. Since 1 July 2026, the €3 Customs Duty charge applies to each item, resulting in Customs Duty of €9, plus any applicable VAT. From 1 November 2026, an additional Union Handling Fee of €2 per item will also apply, adding €6. The total charges will therefore be €15, plus any applicable VAT.
And example of what’s in those 9% (as of 2024):
However, eCommerce goods sent from Great Britain to Ireland will be liable to Customs Duty, VAT and from 1 November, the Union Handling Fee.
I genuinely don‘t understand why people don‘t get that. We need much more oversight on imports because of all the toxic waste from China washing over our continent. This is a way to make it at least logistically realistic. If anyone else has better suggestions I would love to hear them. Though I bet all they‘ll do is downplaying the problem.
Because if they only make small packages into containers, without actually bringing in more staff to proper test things, the desired effect is basically zero, but makes stuff more expensive for the consumer.
There is little to no independent testing of products done to check anything ever, from any origin. The rules are good old protectionism and rent-seeking by retailers in the EU.