€3 customs charge to apply to low-value parcels sent from outside the EU

Eva Osborne

EU Ministers have agreed to impose a €3 customs charge on parcels worth less than €150 being sent from outside the EU.

The European Commission said it aims to help protect the competitiveness of businesses in the bloc.

The change is to come into effect next July and will affect imports from companies such as Shein and Temu.

The EU said the new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses “by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail”.  

Denmark's Minister for Economic Affairs, Stephanie Lose, said the proposals have widespread support from member states.

"The temporary measure will be a €3 fee per parcel imported to the European Union. We need to get the techmical work in place moving forward from here," she said.