EU ends preferential customs treatment for low-value parcels from third countries

A significant shift in customs regulations took effect across the European Union on July 1, 2026, ending a long-standing preferential treatment for small parcels imported from third countries. Previously, packages valued at up to 150 euros often bypassed standard customs procedures, creating an uneven competitive landscape for European businesses.

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From July 1, 2026, every parcel entering the EU from third countries is subject to customs control and charges, regardless of value.

Under the new EU Implementing Regulation 2026/1200, every distance sale from a third country valued at up to 150 euros will now incur a 3-euro customs charge and be treated as a standard customs import. This reform aims to harmonize the treatment of goods, ensuring that all imports are subject to the same scrutiny and financial obligations, regardless of their origin or value threshold.

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This regime, which in recent years has functioned as a competitive advantage at the expense of European businesses, is definitively abolished.

The changes are expected to bolster consumer protection by enabling national customs authorities to better monitor and inspect goods entering their markets, ensuring compliance with EU standards. Furthermore, the reform addresses the issue of split shipments, where large orders are broken down into smaller parcels to avoid duties, by giving customs authorities the explicit power to investigate and apply charges to each individual transaction. This move is seen as a crucial step in leveling the playing field for European retailers and strengthening the EU's internal market.

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The reform does not only concern competition and public revenue. The new framework significantly enhances the ability of member states to know which products are entering their national markets, to conduct targeted checks, and to more effectively protect consumers from products that do not comply with European standards.