EU confirms €3 flat rate customs duty on low value imports from July 2026

26 February 2026

In February 2026, the Council of the EU formally approved the removal of the EU’s threshold‑based customs duty relief (the €150 de‑minimis) with effect from 1 July 2026.

At the same time, the Council confirmed a separate interim measure introducing a flat €3 customs duty per item category for small parcels valued under €150 entering the EU. This will apply from 1 July 2026 until 1 July 2028, with the possibility of extension.

How will this be introduced?

From 1 July 2026, a fixed €3 customs duty will be levied on each distinct item category (by HS tariff sub‑heading) contained in a low‑value parcel under €150. A single consignment with multiple classifications may therefore incur multiple €3 charges (e.g., a silk shirt + a wool hat = €6). This interim duty runs until at least the 1 July 2028.

Separate from this EU‑level duty charge, some EU Member States have either added or are planning to add national “handling” fees for low‑value imports. These include:

• Italy: who introduced a €2 per consignment customs charged from 1 January 2026.
• France: who will introduce a €2 customs charge on a per item basis from 1 March 2026.
• Belgium, the Netherlands, Romania: whose authorities have signalled intent to introduce national handling fees in the future.

What does this mean for your business?

Businesses selling low value goods into the EU should expect:

• Higher landed costs for low value products, as the €3 customs duty and potential national handling fees will need to be factored into pricing.
• More complex customs formalities when clearing low values goods.
• Stricter data and compliance requirements for all parcels, including accurate product classification, valuation, and documentation.

What to do next?

We encourage all businesses importing low value goods to:

• Review their current supply chain to understand the financial impact of the upcoming charges and handling fees.
• Engage with logistics partners to prepare for increased customs processing and the need for more detailed shipment data.
• Stay informed as further details emerge regarding the long-term customs system that will replace the €3 interim duty, as well as any Member State specific charges.
• Consider amending your setup to avoid these additional charges – talk to us about assisting with this.

If you need guidance on how these changes may affect your business, we would be happy to discuss the implications with you. We can also help you explore alternative trading or fulfilment models that may reduce delivery times and customs costs.