European Union Introduces New Customs Rules for Low-Value Imports

Starting from 1 July 2026, the European Union will remove the existing customs duty exemption for imported goods valued at up to €150 purchased through e-commerce platforms from outside the EU.

A temporary flat customs duty of €3 will be introduced and remain in force until 1 July 2028 as part of the broader EU Customs Reform.

The duty is applied per item according to its tariff classification, rather than based on the number of identical products contained in a shipment.

According to the European Union, the rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce has prompted a review of existing customs rules. The reform aims to ensure fair competition for businesses, improve consumer safety, and strengthen customs oversight of imported goods.

This reform is particularly relevant in the context of improving customs administration for e-commerce and reflects a broader global trend toward revising preferential regimes for low-value cross-border imports.