Overview
- The Union Handling Fee of 2 euros per goods position came into force on Sunday, November 1, 2026 and is charged on items physically introduced into the EU from non‑EU countries.
- The fee is applied per distinct article or customs position and is separate from the temporary 3‑euro pauschal Zoll introduced on July 1, 2026 for low‑value shipments under €150.
- Legally the importer — typically the platform, seller or carrier that files customs — must declare and pay the fees though businesses can pass the cost to customers through prices or shipping charges.
- Early government and industry data show big falls in small‑parcel volumes since July and notable revenue drops for low‑cost platforms, prompting moves toward EU warehousing and bulk imports to avoid per‑item charges.
- Brussels says the measures fund staff, scanners and digital systems to improve checks on unsafe or non‑compliant goods and will sit alongside a wider digital customs overhaul planned through mid‑2028, while the 3‑euro measure remains a transitional rule until July 1, 2028.