The European Union has approved new measures that will fundamentally affect the import of cheap goods from third countries, especially China. From 1 July 2026, a fixed customs rate of €3 per each type of product in a package will start to apply to low-value shipments worth up to €150.
The aim of the new rules is to create fairer conditions between European merchants and foreign online platforms, which have so far profited from exemptions on the import of small shipments. This exemption has long been exploited mainly by popular e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu.
End of the exemption for packages up to €150
Until now, many small shipments imported into the EU were exempt from customs duties, allowing retailers to offer extremely low prices. According to estimates, such packages accounted for more than 90% of all the 4.6 billion low-value shipments arriving in the European Union annually.
The new rules are intended to reduce abuse of the system and at the same time strengthen control over the quality and safety of imported goods.
Protection of the European market and manufacturers
European retail associations describe this step as an important shift towards a "fair market". Cheap textiles and fashion products from Asia often compete with domestic manufacturers not only on price, but also on lower production or quality standards.
The new customs duty is therefore intended to help:
support European manufacturers and retailers,
reduce imports of poor-quality or uncertified goods,
limit fraud in declaring the value of shipments,
strengthen product safety controls,
reduce the environmental impact of ultra-fast fashion.
Additional fees may be added
The EU is also currently discussing the introduction of an additional handling fee of €2 per package. This step should help cover administrative and logistical costs associated with the growing volume of imports from online platforms.
Impact on consumers
For customers, this likely means a slight increase in prices when ordering from popular foreign marketplace platforms. On the other hand, the measures could bring better quality and safer goods, more transparent conditions, and greater support for local European brands.
At the same time, the new rules indicate that the European Union wants to more actively regulate the ultra-fast fashion segment and create a more sustainable environment for online trade within the single market.
