New EU import duties on small parcels from China starting November 1

Starting November 1, 2026, the European Union will impose an additional 2-euro fee on small parcels imported from China and other non-EU countries. This charge will be added to the existing 3-euro duty implemented in July, bringing the total cost per product category to 5 euros. The policy primarily targets low-value imports facilitated by e-commerce platforms such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. Notably, the tax is applied per product category rather than per individual parcel. If a single order contains three different categories of items, the total surcharge could reach 15 euros.

This decision, made by the European Commission, aims to curb what the EU describes as unfair competition from global e-commerce giants that offer an extensive variety of goods at extremely low prices. By removing previous tax exemptions for low-value parcels, authorities seek to protect local markets and ensure fair trade practices. While companies may choose to pass these costs on to consumers, the long-term impact on purchasing behavior remains a point of uncertainty. The implementation of this measure marks a further tightening of regulations regarding cross-border e-commerce, forcing consumers to adapt their buying strategies to avoid high cumulative surcharges.