Brussels — The European Union has agreed to introduce a flat €3 charge on all small parcels entering the bloc, a move aimed at stemming the surge of ultra-cheap imports largely originating from China and protecting European retailers from what they describe as unfair competition.
EU finance ministers reached the agreement on Friday, with the new levy set to take effect on 1 July 2026. The charge will apply to low-value parcels shipped directly to consumers, including those sold via popular online platforms such as Shein and Temu.
The decision follows an earlier agreement to abolish the long-standing duty exemption for parcels valued below €150, which had allowed millions of packages to enter the EU without customs charges. EU officials say the €3 fee will be introduced as an interim measure while the bloc works toward a permanent framework for taxing small imports.
According to EU data, 4.6 billion small parcels entered the bloc last year — equivalent to more than 145 packages per second — with 91% originating from China. Authorities expect those volumes to continue rising as cross-border e-commerce expands.
European retailers have repeatedly warned that overseas platforms often enjoy cost advantages by skirting the EU’s strict product safety, environmental and consumer protection rules, placing local businesses at a disadvantage.
France, one of the bloc’s largest import destinations for small parcels, has been particularly vocal on the issue. Roughly 800 million such packages were delivered to the country last year, prompting strong political pressure for action.
French finance minister Roland Lescure hailed the agreement as “a major victory for the European Union,” saying it demonstrated the bloc’s determination to defend its single market.
“Europe is taking concrete action to protect its consumers, its businesses and its economic sovereignty,” he said.
The parcel charge also forms part of the EU’s broader effort to strengthen competitiveness by simplifying rules for European firms while tightening oversight of foreign sellers. In May, the European Commission proposed a handling fee of around €2 per parcel, though member states have yet to agree on the final amount. Officials hope a permanent system can be implemented by late 2026.
Until then, the €3 levy is expected to serve as a stop-gap measure to slow the flood of low-value imports and rebalance competition within the EU’s single market.
