The European Union will begin charging a €3 fee on small packages valued at less than €150, effective July 1, 2026. This temporary measure aims to manage the influx of low-cost parcels, particularly those coming from China.
In 2024, the EU saw around 4.6 billion low-value packages enter its borders, with 91% originating from China. Brussels cites unfair competition, consumer health and safety risks, fraud, and environmental impact as reasons for the new charge.
The fee will be applied per distinct item within an order, potentially increasing the total cost for multi-item shipments.
