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.
Non-EU countries, so even UK.
If Chinese goods are a problem, why not restrict this to imports from China?
Non-EU countries are a problem. Just protecting local, single market. What’s so wrong with that? Other countries can be protectionists (see US for example)…
Because making it a universal rule doesn’t single out China and also protects from schemes where the same cheap shit starts coming through Vietnam instead.