EU to Apply €3 Duty on Low-Value Imports Starting July, Raising Prices and Slowing Deliveries

The EU will apply a flat €3 customs duty to goods valued under €150 starting in July, ending the prior de minimis exemption that allowed such parcels to enter without duties. Chinese platforms had used the exemption to ship billions of low-value parcels directly to European consumers while avoiding up to 12 percent in import duties.

The EU receives more than two billion of these parcels each year, and authorities estimate that up to 65 percent are undervalued or incorrectly declared.

The previous system supported rapid growth for companies such as SHEIN while undercutting European retailers. Under the new rules, additional charges will apply based on the type of goods in each parcel. Online marketplaces will become legally responsible by default for the safety of products sold into the EU.

Euronews reported that the changes are expected to raise prices and slow deliveries for imported goods.