Overview
- The EU abolished the low‑value parcel exemption in July 2026 and now charges a flat three‑euro duty per product group, with a separate processing fee due to start in November 2026 whose level the Commission will set.
- French authorities reported a 30–40% drop in shipments after July, but industry estimates show Germany still receives hundreds of thousands of low‑value parcels per day, so large volumes continue to reach consumers.
- Customs agencies are using sampling and lack the capacity to inspect every parcel, prompting calls from retailers for EU‑wide data sharing, digital targeting tools, and a central market supervisor for third‑country sellers.
- Platforms and sellers are adapting their models by moving stock into EU warehouses, which lets national customs inspect and seize whole containers but also keeps high sales volumes flowing to European shoppers.
- Consumer groups and trade bodies warn that counterfeits and unsafe goods persist in the stream of cheap imports, and retail leaders are urging mandatory EU registration of solvent local agents to improve enforcement and liability.