Temporary measure targets rapid growth in cross-border parcel volumes, separate from the upcoming handling fee due in November.
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European Union (EU) member states have agreed to introduce a €3 customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below €150 from July 2026.
The duty will apply to parcels sent directly to consumers from third countries.
The duty is described as a temporary measure and an urgent solution to the rapid increase of e-commerce goods being imported into the bloc.
It will bridge the gap until the setting up of the EU Customs Data Hub in 2028, as part of the EU customs reform.
The charge is separate to the EU handling fee - currently under negotiation - on e-commerce parcels that is due to come into force in November.
While the customs duty eliminates a competitive advantage that the e-commerce operators currently enjoy over traditional retailers, the handling fee is meant to compensate for the increasing costs that customs authorities incur for supervising the very significant flow of parcels.
The European Commission said: “Today, parcels valued below €150 that are sent from a third country directly to a consumer in the EU are exempt from customs duties. The Commission proposed the removal of this exemption in May 2023 as part of the customs reform.
"The initial proposal for the removal foresaw application as from mid-2028. The Council adopted the removal of the exemption on 13th of November 2025, and called for an earlier application of the measure already in 2026.
"In addition, in February 2025 in its communication on e-commerce, the Commission introduced the idea of a Union handling fee on goods imported directly to consumers. It was introduced in the customs reform proposal by the Council in its negotiating mandate in June 2025."
Earlier this year, the US closed the loophole that allowed e-commerce goods to be imported into the country duty free.
As a result, air cargo volumes on the transpacific trade lane to the US dipped as e-commerce platforms switched their focus to other markets, such as Europe and South America.
The UK is also exploring the removal of its own exemption for e-commerce parcels, although this is not expected until 2029.
