The European Union will impose a €2 handling fee on packages from outside the bloc starting November 1, adding to an existing €3 levy on small parcels introduced in July.
The new charge targets the surge in e-commerce imports, particularly from China, and will apply to each category of goods in a shipment, regardless of value. It follows a July measure that subjected small parcels under €150 to import duties, which Polish customs chief Marcin Łoboda said had already cut such shipments by 50% in Poland and 75% by item count. The handling fee, set by the European Commission, will fund risk analysis, customs checks, and processing of the growing volume of e-commerce shipments.
The fee will be collected by customs authorities where the declaration is filed, similar to the existing €3 temporary duty. Łoboda noted that nearly 5.9 billion small parcels entered the EU in 2025, with 93% originating from China, often via platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress. The EU’s new Customs Code, which took partial effect in September, mandates the fee as part of broader reforms to adapt to e-commerce growth and ensure fair competition between EU and non-EU businesses.
Dutch postal operator PostNL reported a 32% drop in international e-commerce volumes in the third quarter, attributing it to the July customs changes. CEO Pim Berendsen said Asian webshops were adjusting their logistics and commercial strategies in response. The handling fee, like the July duty, will be paid by sellers or platforms, though they may pass costs to consumers. The fee will be reviewed every two years, with further customs reforms scheduled through 2034.
