On July 1, 2026, Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382 introduced a flat €3 customs duty, charged per item type, on parcels valued under €150 entering the EU from outside it. From November 1, 2026, a €2 EU handling fee joins it, and customs forms need product identifiers for every item.
The €3 customs duty (since July 1, 2026)
The EU ended the rule that let parcels under €150 enter from outside the EU duty-free. In its place is a €3 duty per item type, charged by the kind of item (its customs or HS code), not per parcel. (EU Access2Markets)
A €2 EU handling fee (from November 1, 2026)
The EU adds €2 per item type on top of the €3 duty. The EU says the fee covers the cost of customs checks on low-value parcels. Unlike the duty, it applies to orders of any value, including orders over €150. It isn’t refunded if a parcel is refused or returned.
Product identifiers (from November 1, 2026)
EU customs now needs three codes that identify exactly what’s in the parcel. All three are on your commercial receipt. Parcels sent without them may be held at customs.
Customs can be challenging to navigate, even when the rules aren’t changing. We’re anticipating friction as carriers and EU countries update their systems for the handling fee and product identifiers.
Delays can be expected. Carriers are still updating how they collect the fee and send product data. Mistakes are likely in the first weeks.
Carrier services keep changing. Which destinations a carrier can prepay for, and what it charges, can change at short notice.
October 30, 2026
Satoshi Toyoda – Albore Jazz