BRUSSELS, Dec 12 (KUNA) -- EU finance ministers on Friday approved the imposition of a fixed customs duty of three euros on all small parcels imported into EU member states as of the first of July 2026.
The move aimed at curbing the flow of cheap imports arriving mainly through Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu.
In a press release, the Council explained that the decision comes about a month after the EU agreed to abolish the previous customs exemption for parcels valued at less than 150 euros that are shipped directly to consumers in member states, most of which arrive via platforms established in China.
The Council noted that these parcels had been exempt from customs duties, which led to unfair competition for sellers within the EU, as well as risks to consumer health and safety, in addition to rising fraud cases and environmental concerns associated with the increase in shipments.
It affirmed that this measure will remain in force until the entry into effect of the permanent system agreed upon in November 2025, which will completely eliminate the customs duty exemption threshold for small parcels.
It also indicated that the duty will apply to goods valued at under 150 euros that are imported from non-EU sellers registered in the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) system for value-added tax purposes, which, according to the EU, represent 93 percent of e-commerce inflows into the bloc.
The Council stressed that the move implements its November 2025 commitment to develop a simple and temporary solution to impose customs duties on such parcels as early as possible in 2026, with the measure continuing until the entry into force of the permanent system under which all parcels valued at under 150 euros will be subject to normal EU tariff rates depending on the product category. (end) arn.hm