European Union Introduces Additional €2 Fee on E-Commerce Products Imported from Abroad

The European Union (EU) will impose a €2 handling fee per item category on e-commerce products shipped to consumers from countries outside the bloc, effective November 1, 2026. The regulation, aimed at covering the costs of customs inspections, will be applied in addition to the temporary €3 customs duty that took effect in July. The new fee will also cover cross-border purchases made through platforms such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress.

The regulation, adopted as part of the European Union's customs reform, covers products purchased online and shipped directly to EU consumers from outside the bloc. The handling fee will be calculated for each distinct item category listed in the customs declaration. Multiple products of the same type will be treated as a single category, while different product types will be subject to separate fees.

The regulation, which forms part of the reform approved by the Council of the European Union on September 3, 2026, will apply across all 27 member states. The fee is intended to cover the costs of customs inspections and controls arising from the increasing volume of e-commerce shipments.

The European Union's Additional Fee Will Be Added to the €3 Customs Duty

On July 1, 2026, the European Union abolished the customs duty exemption for e-commerce shipments valued at less than €150 and introduced a temporary €3 duty per product category. The new €2 handling fee will be applied regardless of the shipment's total value.

For example, if a package worth €100 contains four different product categories, €12 in customs duties and €8 in handling fees will be calculated. This will result in a total additional charge of €20 for the shipment. Any applicable value-added tax will also be calculated separately. The new regulation does not cover ordinary commercial shipments between businesses or gifts sent between individuals.

Platforms and Sellers Will Be Responsible for Paying the Fee

Under the regulation, platforms, sellers, or shipping companies will be responsible for handling customs procedures and paying the relevant fees for e-commerce sales originating outside the European Union. However, companies may pass these costs on to product prices or delivery charges. Whether the fee is collected at the time of purchase or during import procedures will depend on the terms of sale and the customs system used.

The European Union's customs reform also increases the responsibilities of platforms regarding product safety, regulatory compliance, and customs obligations in cross-border e-commerce activities.

4.6 Billion Small Parcels Entered the European Union in 2024

According to a statement by the Council of the European Union based on European Commission data, 4.6 billion e-commerce parcels valued at less than €150 entered EU member states in 2024. China accounted for 91% of these shipments.

The European Commission states that the rapidly increasing imports of low-value products are making customs inspections more difficult, increasing product safety risks, and affecting competitive conditions for European retailers. Through the new customs system, the European Union aims to strengthen oversight of cross-border e-commerce shipments and cover the costs associated with import procedures.