Following recent action by the United States and a proposal by the UK, the EU has decided that it will introduce a €3 customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below €150.
Coming into effect in July 2026, this new requirement will bring the EU into line with a decision by the US government to remove its $800 threshold which has allowed for shipments under that value to enter the country duty-free.
The UK Government is consulting on a proposal to remove customs duty relief on imported goods with a value of £135 or less.
Announcing the new EU measure, the European Commission said that the new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail.
This is seen as a temporary measure until the setting up of the EU Customs Data Hub in 2028, which will be run by a new European Customs Authority (EUCA).
Explaining the purpose of the Hub, the Commission said: “Businesses that want to bring goods into the EU will be able to submit all the information on their products and supply chains into a single online environment, in a single place in Europe, even if the goods are destined for clearance in many Member States.”
The decision to introduce the €3 customs duty has not been well received in the UK by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) with its Head of Trade Policy warning that it will have a significant impact on British businesses. William Bain said: “This extra cost will make goods from Great Britian less attractive to both businesses and people in the EU and squeeze profit margins.”
British Chambers of Commerce
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a business network that spans the length and breadth of the UK, with links to markets across the world.
