EU Council approves new customs duties for small parcels from non-EU countries

The Council of the European Union has formally approved new rules regarding customs duties for small parcels entering the EU, primarily from e-commerce sources. This decision eliminates the current customs duty exemption for goods valued at less than 150 euros. Starting July 1, 2026, a transitional period will introduce a flat fee of 3 euros per item category within a parcel. This measure aims to address unfair competition for EU-based sellers, as 91% of the 4.6 billion such parcels delivered in 2024 originated from China. The temporary fee will remain in place until 2028, when a permanent system involving a pan-European online customs data hub is expected to become fully operational. Cyprus Finance Minister Makis Keravnos stated that the reform is a key step toward making the EU more competitive and secure. Some sources indicate the implementation of a minimum fee may begin as early as July 1 of the current year. Once the digital data hub is active, standard customs duties will replace the temporary flat fee for all imports.