EU Finance Ministers Back Early End to Duty-Free Small Parcels in Q1 2026

Overview

• EU finance ministers approved scrapping the de minimis exemption for low‑value imports, targeting a transitional start in the first quarter of 2026.
• Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic urged accelerating the measure from the original 2028 customs overhaul, citing competitive distortions for EU retailers.
• The change focuses on small parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu after volumes doubled to 4.6 billion in 2024, with more than 90% coming from China.
• An administrative fee per parcel is planned, with the Commission having proposed around €2, though the final amount and application timeline remain unresolved.
• France led visible support alongside other member states, industry groups warned about potential single‑market fragmentation from divergent national fees, and ministers set up negotiations with the European Parliament.