The tax on parcels from outside the European Union comes into force two years earlier than announced. The exemption for packages under 150 euros should actually not be abolished until 2028. However, the EU finance ministers have brought this date forward.
The European Union said in a statement that the new rules are part of the EU ‘customs data hub’, which is expected to become operational in 2028. However, due to the urgency of the situation regarding parcels arriving in the European Union, there is an interim solution. This will come into force as early as 2026. According to the announcement, this interim solution will be further developed in the coming weeks.
The influx of packages under 150 euros has increased in recent years. A study by the European Commission shows that 91 percent of all parcels under 150 euros came from China in 2024. The notice also states that many packages are under-declared in order to avoid paying the customs fee. In addition, shipments are divided to avoid delivery.
Various European consumer associations have long been calling for the introduction of a tax on parcels from outside the EU with a value of 150 euros or less. They hope to make the competitive conditions fairer.
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