EU’s new €3 duty on cheap online imports takes effect July 1

The European Union will begin imposing a flat €3 customs duty on low-value parcels shipped from outside the bloc starting July 1, abolishing a long-standing exemption that allowed goods worth up to €150 to enter without customs charges. The measure, aimed squarely at the flood of cheap e-commerce imports from platforms like Shein and Temu, has drawn a cautious response from markets and intensified pressure on the United Kingdom to follow suit.

How the New Duty Works

The €3 charge applies per item type — defined by tariff classification — rather than per parcel. A package containing three different product categories would incur €9 in duties, while multiple identical items attract only a single €3 fee. The duty is levied on business-to-consumer shipments valued at €150 or less and is formally imposed on sellers or importers, not directly on consumers, though costs are expected to be passed through at checkout.taxation-customs.europa+3

The European Commission has described the measure as "non-discriminatory," applying equally regardless of the country of origin. It is explicitly temporary, set to remain in place until July 1, 2028, when the EU Customs Data Hub is expected to become operational and full classification-based tariffs will take over. An additional handling fee of approximately €2 per parcel is also expected to be introduced in November 2026.euverify+2

Market Response and Platform Adaptation

Greek newspaper Ekathimerini reported on June 20 that the new duty has sparked a "wait-and-see response" among businesses and consumers. Some platforms have already begun adapting: reports indicate that Shein and Temu have started labeling certain products as shipping from EU-based warehouses, effectively routing goods through European distribution centers to avoid the new charge.ekathimerini+1

The EU's move follows agreement by finance ministers in November 2025 to accelerate the reform, which was originally slated for 2028. The Council of the European Union gave final legislative approval in February 2026.reuters+1

UK Under Pressure to Act

Across the Channel, British retailers including Next and Marks & Spencer have called for an equivalent £2.60 levy on low-value imports, warning that the EU's reform could divert cheap goods toward the UK, according to Reuters. The Financial Times reported that electrical and clothing retailers urged Britain to mirror the EU's approach.reuters+1

The UK government launched a consultation in November 2025 on removing its own £135 de minimis threshold, with an implementation deadline of March 2029. The Times reported on June 16 that ministers are now reviewing whether parts of the crackdown could be brought forward, with industry figures warning that the UK risks becoming "a dumping ground for low-value imports" once the EU's rules take effect.retailgazette+2