EU Confirms New Fee on Low-Value Parcels from China (Effective 1 July 2026)

1. Policy Confirmed – This Is No Longer a Rumor 

On December 12, the European Union officially confirmed that EU finance ministers have reached an agreement on a new handling fee for low-value imported parcels.

Starting 1 July 2026, all low-value parcels entering the EU, regardless of declared value or sales platform, will be subject to a fixed handling fee of EUR 3 per shipment.

This measure is defined as temporary, remaining in force until the EU implements a permanent taxation and regulatory framework for cross-border low-value goods.

Bottom line for shippers:

The traditional “low-value + direct-to-consumer parcel” model into the EU will face a permanent cost reset.

2. Why the EU Is Taking Action – The Numbers Tell the Story 

This decision is driven by volume, not speculation:

Approx. 4.6 billion low-value parcels entered the EU in 2024

91% originated from China

Major sources: Shein, Temu, AliExpress and similar platforms

EU authorities expect continued rapid growth in parcel volumes

European retailers and trade bodies argue that these imports:

Bypass local tax and regulatory burdens

Show inconsistent compliance with EU product standards (CE, safety, environmental)

Create structural unfair competition for EU-based sellers

In this context, the EUR 3 fee is not the endgame – it is the first tightening step.

3. Direct Impact on EU-Bound Shippers 

1️⃣ Fixed Cost Increase Per Shipment – No Workarounds

Applies to all low-value parcels

Independent of declared value or platform

EUR 3 per parcel, every shipment

For products with a retail price below EUR 15, margins will be materially affected.

This is not a freight rate increase. It is a business model challenge.

2️⃣ Direct-to-Consumer Parcel Shipping Enters a High-Risk Phase

We expect a clear structural shift:

❌ Low-value DTC parcels: shrinking margins, higher scrutiny

⚠️ Higher compliance and return risks

✅ Consolidated shipping + EU customs clearance + local fulfillment

For many shippers, EU overseas warehousing will move from “optional” to “essential.”

3️⃣ Logistics Provider Capability Gaps Will Expand Rapidly

Pure execution-focused parcel forwarders will face margin pressure

Providers offering customs, tax, compliance and fulfillment design will gain share

For shippers, choosing the wrong logistics model means absorbing policy costs directly.

4. What EU Shippers Should Do Now 

✅ Step 1: Conduct an Immediate EU Logistics Cost Review

Key questions we advise shippers to calculate now:

What is the true margin impact after adding EUR 3 per parcel?

Which SKUs remain viable for direct shipping?

Which products should migrate to EU fulfillment?

Waiting until enforcement begins means reacting under pressure.

✅ Step 2: Secure EU Customs & Warehouse Capacity Early

Looking ahead to 2025–2026:

EU overseas warehouse pricing will trend upward

Customs compliance checks will tighten

Last-minute logistics model changes will be more expensive and risk-prone

Early movers secure cost stability and operational continuity.

✅ Step 3: Involve Your Freight Forwarder in Solution Design

EU logistics is no longer about finding the lowest freight rate. It is about:

Long-term regulatory sustainability

Customs and tax risk control

Scalable, repeatable fulfillment structures

This is now a supply chain strategy decision, not an operational task.

5. How We Support EU-Bound Shippers

As an international freight forwarder specializing in China–EU trade, we provide:

🚢 Door-to-door ocean, air and rail solutions from China to the EU

📦 Cost comparison models: DTC parcels vs EU fulfillment

🧾 EU customs clearance, compliance and tax pathway advisory

🇪🇺 EU fulfillment services in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland

Our role is not simply to move cargo, but to:

Help shippers protect margin and delivery stability amid regulatory change.

6. A Final Note for EU Exporters 

If you are:

Shipping to EU consumers

Heavily reliant on low-value parcel fulfillment

Planning to scale EU sales in 2025–2026

Now is the time to reassess.

📩 Contact us to receive：Regulations will not wait. Your supply chain should move first.