New EU Customs Duty to Affect All Small Imports, Not Just From China

Starting July 1, 2026, a new three-euro customs duty will be implemented for all small consignments entering the European Union from outside the bloc. This change, though sometimes referred to as the 'China' or 'Temu' tax due to the popularity of ordering inexpensive goods from these platforms, will affect imports from any third country, not exclusively China.

The new regulation stipulates that a three-euro duty will be levied on each article within a consignment, provided each article has a distinct commodity code. This means that ordering multiple small items, even if they are inexpensive individually, could result in a cumulative increase in cost.

This tax applies to goods ordered from online stores in countries like the USA, the United Kingdom, or Norway, as well as Asian e-commerce sites, if the goods are shipped directly to the consumer without an intermediary within the EU. The measure aims to simplify customs procedures and ensure fairer competition for EU businesses.

For consumers accustomed to ordering small gadgets or various items from international online retailers, this new duty could significantly alter their purchasing decisions. The impact on the final cost of a shopping cart filled with multiple items from abroad is expected to be noticeable, potentially making such purchases less attractive compared to domestic options or goods shipped through EU-based fulfillment centers.