For years, European consumers have filled their shopping carts with ultra-low-priced products from platforms such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress. Much of this trade slipped into the EU without meaningful duties thanks to a long-standing rule: parcels valued below 150 euros were exempt from customs charges. That exception is now poised to end. Brussels wants to tax every inbound parcel from outside the EU — even if the item costs only a few euros.
Why the EU plans to abolish the 150-euro import exemption
European customs authorities have been sounding the alarm for some time. Parcel centres across the continent process millions of small shipments from Asia every day, many of which arrive with suspiciously low declared values. According to the European Commission, roughly two-thirds of these parcels contain inaccurate or misleading customs information.
The result, argue policymakers, is a distorted market. Domestic and European retailers must comply with VAT and customs rules, while a significant portion of non-EU vendors exploit loopholes. By scrapping the threshold entirely, the EU hopes to reduce fraud, restore competitive fairness and slow down the tidal wave of underpriced goods entering the single market.
What changes consumers can expect — and when
The customs reform is planned for a full rollout in 2028, although transitional measures are expected two years earlier. One option currently under discussion is a flat handling fee of up to two euros per parcel. While small, this surcharge would apply to every package from non-EU countries and could make impulse purchases on bargain platforms noticeably less attractive.
The Commission also aims to modernise digital customs systems to better track shipments, standardise the declaration process and ensure platforms bear more responsibility for correct data.
Will shoppers need to pick up their Temu or Shein parcels at the customs office?
A common concern among consumers is whether future orders from China will require an inconvenient trip to the local customs branch. In most cases, this will not be necessary. Package carriers such as DHL, Hermes and other couriers typically handle customs clearance on behalf of the customer.
Once the new rules take effect, these companies are expected to continue processing the procedure digitally and collecting any applicable fees during delivery. Only in exceptional cases — when a parcel lacks the necessary data or cannot be processed automatically — will customers receive a notification and be required to collect the item directly from the customs office, where outstanding charges must be paid.
A shift from bargain hunting to more transparent pricing
The reform does not prohibit shopping on Temu or Shein, but it will gradually erase the price advantage created by false declarations and duty-free loopholes. By aligning rules for all sellers, Brussels hopes to promote fair competition across the European market. For consumers, the era of one-euro gadgets arriving duty-free may be drawing to a close, but the EU argues the upcoming system will be clearer, more honest and better balanced for everyone involved.
