Cheap Imports Hit Twice: New Customs Fee Joins $3 Duty Under Reform

The timeline for the EU’s landmark customs reform is now in focus. Following a final agreement between the European Commission and the Parliament last Thursday, a new suite of measures will be rolled out to regulate the surge of low-cost international shipments. This initiative marks a strategic move to shield European businesses from the growing dominance of major low-cost marketplaces, particularly those based in China.

Previously, we have already informed you about the new fee of 3 euros per product on shipments of goods with a value of less than 150 euros from outside the EU, which will come into effect as of July 1st. This is a provisional fee, pending the implementation of the EU Data Hub. Now we know that, furthermore, these shipments will also be subject to a handling fee that will begin to apply in the month of November.

What does the new handling fee involve and to which shipments will it apply?

What it consists of

The new handling fee” has been introduced to offset for the costs incurred by customs authorities in processing the enormous volume of shipments received each year—an operational scale for which the existing EU customs framework was not equipped to handle.

As European authorities explain, the exact amount of the fee is yet to be determined; “it will be established through a delegated act” and will be based on the minimum costs faced by customs authorities in processing these goods. These costs derive from the IT and labor resources mobilized to clear these goods, including the verification of the information provided, risk analysis, and the periodic performance of documentary and physical checks when necessary. In any case, the Commission clarifies that this new fee will be implemented no later than November 1, 2026.

To which shipments it will apply

The fee applies only to shipments with a total value below €150. However, Commission documentation has yet to clarify if this new charge will follow the same rules as the existing €3 duty. Specifically, it remains unclear whether the handling fee applies to each product category within a shipment or just once per package. When asked for clarification, the Commission declined to provide further details, pointing instead to the upcoming delegated act for the final specifics.

To illustrate this uncertainty, consider a previous example provided by EU authorities regarding the €3 fee: “A package contains one silk shirt and two wool shirts. Because they fall under different tariff subheadings, the package is considered to contain two distinct items,” which would trigger the fee twice. Conversely, if the shipment contained four wool shirts of the same type, the fee would only be charged once.

Who will pay this new fee?

Once again, as in the case of the 3-euro fee, the responsible parties will be the platforms and those introducing goods into the EU through distance sales. These companies will be considered importers of the goods, and they (not the end consumer) will be responsible for ensuring that all procedures have been completed and all payments made. The Commission has anticipated the establishment of a penalty regime for instances of non-compliance.

Another consideration is whether the eCommerce platforms themselves will pass these costs on to their clients, raising final prices. This is a complicated matter, as in the case of very low-value items, these charges might render such goods uncompetitive compared to European products. This is one of the underlying effects sought by the EU through this decision.

A temporary solution toward a more manageable future

In any case, it is important to note that these are temporary measures pending the 2028 launch of the EU Customs Data Hub, which aims to specifically control the flow of parcels generated by eCommerce. A new system designed to monitor eCommerce parcel flows. The Hub’s reach will expand to additional companies in 2031—a move expected to “generate immediate benefits, streamlining, and savings for businesses.” By 2034, the Data Hub will become mandatory for all operators as the EU’s sole customs entry point.

Under the new system, importers and exporters will only need to submit customs data once via this single portal, rather than dealing with 27 different national authorities. This “single-window” approach will allow businesses to reuse data for multiple shipments, theoretically saving significant time and resources.

Furthermore, the Data Hub will directly impact the new handling fee. The Commission explains that, starting in 2028, importers managing a customs deposit will pay a lower fee due to more streamlined controls. Consequently, while the €3 duty is a temporary product tax set to expire in 2028, the handling fee introduced this November could remain in effect long-term, albeit at a reduced rate.

“In the future, eCommerce operators will assume greater responsibility. Platforms and online sellers shall inform customs authorities through the EU Customs Data Hub about their sales immediately after they occur. This will enable customs authorities to respond even before the goods reach the border. Operators will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable EU legislation for their products, including both tax and non-tax regulations. Specific sanctions may be imposed in cases of systematic non-compliance. This represents a significant improvement over the current customs system, which places this responsibility on individual consumers.”

Trusted operators: a new type of company

The European body also contemplates the creation of a new category, called “Trust & Check” companies, also referred to as “trusted operators.” These enterprises, distinguished by full transparency in their supply chains, will enjoy certain advantages over others, and may even import goods without requiring active customs intervention and without administrative burdens.

The EU protects itself from a flood of parcels from abroad

This customs reform, definitively approved by the community body, is based on striking figures, which the Commission itself updated in its official release. In 2025, 900 million low-value items entered the EU in parcels shipped directly to consumers, and over 90% originated from China.

As the Commission explains, this customs reform introduces various specific measures to address the rapid growth of eCommerce, in a context where “the increasing volume of trade and complex compliance requirements have made it even more difficult to trace these parcels. The huge influx of parcels is also accompanied by increased risks. Many products purchased online from outside the EU do not comply with EU standards, which raises safety concerns for consumers.”

This is not the first time we have seen the Commission cite the safety of products entering our borders as grounds to justify its ongoing investigations into some of the sector’s principal players.

Image: Gemini