New three-euro customs duties on parcels: strong step on safety, zero tolerance for illegal surcharges

From 1 July 2026, all imported goods into the EU will face three-euro customs duties, ending the long-standing exemption for parcels worth under €150. BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, welcomes the move to improve product safety but warns that consumers must not be hit with unexpected charges when their purchases are delivered.

Until now, low-value imports were benefiting from the so-called “de minimis” rule, introduced before the boom in online shopping. Today, around 15 million small parcels enter the EU every day, many slipping through with limited checks. Scrapping this exemption aims to restore proper controls and ensure safer products reach consumers.

A flat three-euro duty will apply per item category in a parcel and must be paid by the commercial importer, such as online marketplaces or postal operators. This system is likely to encourage bulk imports rather than millions of individual shipments, making it easier for authorities to carry out safety checks.

BEUC is concerned that some postal and delivery operators may try to pass these costs on to consumers after purchase. This would be illegal under EU law, which requires that consumers are informed of the full price upfront.

Agustín Reyna, Director General of BEUC, commented: 
“Consumers should not foot the bill for the new three-euro fee. The reform is clear: from July, it’s importers and not consumers who are paying for customs duties. Yet we’re already hearing that some operators may try to pass these costs on at the doorstep. That would mean shoppers getting a surprise bill when their parcel arrives, on top of what they already paid. That’s not in line with consumer law, which requires people must know the full price before they buy, not upon delivery.”

Background:

• Factsheet: ‘Who pays for the parcel? EU Customs Reform and Consumer Protection’