Online orders from outside the European Union could become more expensive starting November 1. The EU is introducing a new €2 handling fee for parcels shipped directly to consumers from non-EU countries, BANI.MD reports. The measure also affects shoppers who buy from platforms such as Temu, AliExpress and Amazon.
The new fee will not be paid directly by consumers, but by online platforms, retailers and intermediaries handling shipments. However, there is a risk that they will pass the additional costs on to consumers by increasing product prices or delivery charges, potentially making orders more expensive.
The €2 fee will apply regardless of the parcel’s value, but it will be calculated differently from a standard delivery charge. Specifically, the fee will be charged for each category of products in a parcel, rather than for each individual item.
For example, if a parcel contains ten T-shirts, the fee will be €2. If the same parcel contains ten T-shirts and two hats, the fee will increase to €4 because the products belong to two different categories.
According to the cited source, the new measure comes on top of the €3 fee introduced in July for parcels worth less than €150. As a result, the costs associated with importing inexpensive goods could rise further.
However, the two fees operate under different arrangements. The €2 fee is intended to be a permanent measure and will be reviewed every two years based on the costs of customs operations. By contrast, the €3 fee is temporary and is expected to remain in place until July 1, 2028, when it will be replaced by standard customs duties determined according to the type of product.
The European authorities’ decision comes amid a sharp increase in the number of low-cost parcels arriving in the EU, particularly from China. According to official data, nearly six billion small parcels were imported last year, with approximately 93% of low-value shipments originating in China.
Brussels argues that the enormous volume of orders is putting pressure on customs services, which must inspect an increasing number of products. At the same time, European authorities have warned of the risk that goods failing to meet safety standards could enter the EU market, including toys and other potentially dangerous items.
According to data presented by European authorities, imports covered by the €3 fee fell by approximately 64% after the measure was introduced in July. Nevertheless, officials believe it is still too early to assess its long-term effects.