New European Union customs duty on non-EU e-commerce parcels

As of July 1, 2026, the European Union has implemented a new customs duty of 3 euros per product category for parcels valued under 150 euros originating from outside the EU. This regulation applies to major online platforms, including Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and others. The duty is charged per item category within a single shipment, meaning parcels with multiple distinct types of goods incur higher cumulative costs. While the European Commission introduced this measure to address market distortions and competition concerns, some reports suggest it is a temporary policy scheduled to last until 2028. Cypriot customs officials estimate annual national revenue from these duties at approximately 15 million euros, though significant portions are allocated back to the EU. Consumers are advised that duties apply to all relevant shipments arriving on or after July 1, regardless of the purchase date. Platforms have largely updated their systems to process these fees at the point of sale, though some charges may be managed by courier companies upon arrival.