Overview
- The EU change takes effect on 1 July 2026 and replaces the practical customs exemption for many non-EU parcels with a flat €3 fee for shipments valued up to €150.
- The €3 levy is calculated per customs position (per distinct product category), so mixed-item orders can incur multiple fees while identical-item bundles normally do not.
- Buyers will pay the new levy on top of import VAT and any parcel-carrier processing charges, with a Trusted Shops example showing a €12 shirt rising to about €25 when VAT and a €7.50 carrier fee are added.
- Whether the extra costs appear at checkout or on delivery depends on IOSS use: sellers using the Import One-Stop Shop can collect and remit VAT at sale so the displayed price is final, while sellers not using IOSS may bill recipients on arrival.
- The rule is likely to push platforms and logistics providers to repricing, absorb part of fees, expand EU warehousing, and change routing to reduce surprise charges and ease customs workloads.