A political agreement among EU finance ministers has set the stage for one of the most significant changes in Europe’s customs regime in years. From 2026, member states plan to begin imposing duties on small parcels arriving from non-EU countries — including the millions of ultra-cheap shipments ordered daily from platforms such as Temu and Shein.
This marks the beginning of a transition period that will lead to a fully centralised digital customs framework by 2028. Until the new system is operational, the EU intends to introduce temporary measures aimed at curbing long-standing distortions in cross-border e-commerce.
A step-by-step shift toward a unified European customs system
Although the final details are still under negotiation, the Ecofin agreement signals that the long-standing €150 duty-free threshold for imported goods is approaching its end. Today, nearly all low-value parcels enter the EU without customs charges — a structural advantage for non-EU sellers that EU officials argue has created unfair competition for European businesses.
Valdis Dombrovskis, the Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, emphasised that the current model is overwhelmed by massive import volumes and requires “fairer and more functional rules” to restore balance across the internal market. The transitional regime planned for 2026 is designed to close loopholes while preparing businesses for the broader reform.
Why the EU is targeting micro-shipments from China
Data presented to EU ministers highlights the scale of the issue. Around 65% of low-value parcels entering the Union are declared with artificially reduced values, and 91% of parcels under €150 originate from China.
Some platforms break customer orders into multiple smaller parcels to avoid customs processing completely — a practice the EU argues inflates packaging waste, drives up emissions and undermines domestic retailers who must comply with VAT and customs rules. By imposing duties on all imports regardless of value, Brussels aims to level the playing field and discourage systematic under-declaration.
The 2028 EU Customs Data Hub will transform how imports are processed
The long-term goal is the launch of the EU Customs Data Hub, a centralised digital system that will overhaul how customs declarations are filed and processed. Once operational in 2028, it will allow authorities to automatically calculate applicable duties for each item, effectively ending the duty-free window for goods costing less than €150.
For consumers, this means that online ordering from non-EU platforms will come with clearer, more predictable charges — but also a likely increase in overall costs.
A global trend toward stricter import oversight
The EU is not acting in isolation. Earlier this year, the United States abolished its own de minimis exemption for shipments from China and Hong Kong under $800, citing similar concerns about undervaluation and market distortion.
As Europe prepares for its 2026–2028 transition, both regulators and consumers are entering a new era in cross-border e-commerce — one in which low-cost imports will face closer scrutiny and a more uniform set of charges.
