Business · Trade · 32 mins ago
EU to add €2 handling fee to packages sent from outside the bloc
From November 1, the EU will add a €2 handling fee to packages sent directly to consumers from outside the bloc.
The fee applies to each type of item in a package, regardless of its value, and comes on top of the €3 charge already applied to small parcels.
Online platforms, sellers and intermediaries must pay the fee, though they may raise prices and pass the cost on to shoppers.
The EU says the measure will help cover the cost of customs checks as millions of small parcels enter the bloc, most of them from China.
Officials are also concerned that some products arriving through online platforms do not meet EU safety rules.
The fee may affect platforms differently, because some already keep stock in European warehouses.
The EU levy is permanent, while the existing €3 charge on low-value parcels is temporary until July 1, 2028; the EU will review the handling fee every two years.
The European Union will introduce a €2 handling fee on packages sent directly to consumers from outside the bloc from November 1.
The fee will be charged for each type of item in a package, regardless of its value, and will be added to an existing €3 charge on small parcels.
Online marketplaces, sellers and intermediaries must pay the handling fee, though they may pass the cost on to consumers through higher prices.
The EU says the fee will help cover the cost of customs operations amid a large influx of small parcels, many from China.
Some consumers oppose the added cost, while others say it could encourage people to buy locally.
- Who
- The EU is introducing the fee. Online marketplaces, sellers and intermediaries must pay it.
- What
- A €2 handling fee will apply to each category of item in a qualifying package, on top of the existing €3 charge on small parcels.
- When
- From November 1.
- Where
- The fee applies to packages sent to consumers from outside the European Union.
- Why
- The EU says the fee will help compensate for the costs of customs operations amid a large influx of parcels.
Consumers concerned about the added cost
Supporters of the fee
Impact on consumers
Consumers concerned about the added cost
Some consumers say the added charges will make purchases unaffordable or prevent them from buying what they want.
Supporters of the fee
A passerby says the fee could encourage people to buy locally.
The existing €3 charge on small parcels took effect.
Le Monde EN and franceinfo reported on the planned handling fee.
The EU is due to begin charging the €2 handling fee.
The temporary €3 duty on low-value packages is due to end, after which standard product-specific customs tariffs will apply.
- New handling fee
- €2 per item category in a package
- Existing small-parcel charge
- €3
- Start date
- November 1
- Parcels entering the EU last year
- Nearly 6 billion
- Share of cheap parcels from China
- 93% according to Le Monde EN
- Review of handling-fee amount
- Every two years
3 sources
What people are saying
I saw that it was going to go up, so I'm going to place an order tonight before the extra five euros.
Shein's warehouse accounts for more than 90% of its volumes because most of its range is already stocked there. As a result, Shein pays almost none of the €3 tax and the future €2 tax.