'Temu' and 'Shein' shoppers face potential new EU fee

Consumers purchasing goods from platforms like "Temu" and "Shein" may soon face another charge, adding to the existing 3-euro customs duty for small parcels from outside the EU. This new potential fee is part of a broader EU customs reform package aimed at regulating remote trade.

The Lithuanian Customs Department explained that the initial 3-euro duty, implemented on July 1, was just the first measure. A second measure, a handling fee tentatively set at 2 euros, is planned for implementation around November 2026. This fee would cover customs clearance services for goods acquired through remote trade, regardless of the value of the items within a shipment.

Irmantas Šerys, Marketing and Services Director at Lietuvos Paštas (Lithuanian Post), confirmed that this handling fee is currently under discussion within EU institutions. While the exact amount and start date are not finalized, the European Commission intends to establish these details through a separate legal act. The proposed model suggests the fee would apply to low-value shipments imported into the EU via remote trade, such as those bought from e-commerce platforms operating outside the EU.

If approved as currently discussed, some online purchases could be subject to both the 3-euro customs duty and the new handling fee. This dual charging mechanism aims to cover the administrative and control costs incurred by customs in processing these parcels. The final details and scope of application will be determined by the new EU legislation.