The EU just removed its €150 customs-duty exemption for online shopping
From 1 July 2026 the EU no longer exempts sub-€150 e-commerce parcels from customs duty. Here is what changed, who it hits, and how to price for it.
On 1 July 2026 the European Union abolished the €150 customs-duty exemption that previously let low-value e-commerce imports enter the EU without paying import duty. The change applies to goods sold to EU consumers from outside the Union, regardless of their value.
Why it matters: the exemption was a major cost advantage for cross-border sellers, especially those shipping from China and the UK. Removing it means almost every imported parcel now faces the standard MFN duty for its HS code, on top of VAT that EU members already charge from the first euro (the separate €22 VAT exemption was removed back in 2021).
What stays the same: VAT is still collected at the border on all imports; the duty rate still depends on the product's HS code and the country of origin; preferential or FTA rates may still apply where a trade agreement covers the goods.
Practical steps for sellers: (1) re-price SKUs to include expected duty, (2) show landed cost at checkout using a duty lookup, (3) review whether your HS classification is correct, and (4) consider EU-side warehousing to import in bulk under different customs treatment.
Accuracy note: duty rates vary by product and origin. Confirm the figure against an official source or a verified lookup before quoting a number to a customer. This article is informational and is not customs advice.
Sources
Rates and rules in these articles are for reference only and do not constitute tax or legal advice. Confirm with the official source and a licensed customs broker.