European Union Member States have agreed to introduce a €3 customs duty per item on ecommerce parcels valued below €150, from July 2026.

In its announcement, the European Council said the new duty will help to protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between ecommerce and traditional retail.

The temporary duty will remain in place until until the establishment of the EU Customs Data Hub in 2028, at which point the removal of the current de minimis exemption for online purchases valued below €150 is scheduled to take effect. However, pressure to act sooner has grown amid concerns that goods are being dumped onto the European market.

The number of low-value ecommerce parcels entering the EU doubled in 2024, reaching 4.6 billion. More than 90% of these parcels originated from China, with volumes expected to have increased further in 2025.

The permanent customs duty regime will apply once the EU Customs Data Hub is established. This hub will fully integrate new customs data related to ecommerce, providing customs authorities with a comprehensive view of goods entering or exiting the EU.

The temporary €3 per-item customs duty will apply to parcels sent directly to consumers from third countries. In its statement, the European Council said this measure is separate from the ongoing negotiation around an EU handling fee on ecommerce parcels, which is expected to come into effect in November 2026.

While the customs duty aims to remove the competitive advantage enjoyed by ecommerce operators, the handling fee will cover the rising costs incurred by customs authorities in processing large volumes of parcels.