New EU Customs Charges on Low-Value Items: What Marketplace Sellers Need to Know
26 June 2026
By Shane Manton – Co-Founder & Director of Client Solutions
From 1 July, any parcel valued under €150 shipped into the EU from outside it attracts a €3 customs duty charge. The charge is applied per item, not per package, before VAT and delivery. Customers who don’t see it collected at checkout will face it at the door, along with a postal administration fee on top. That’s a returns and reviews problem waiting to happen.
The first casualty is already here. DHL has suspended its Globalmail service for UK-to-EU shipments from 24 June because it can’t yet handle the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) requirement. No timeline for resumption has been given.
The EU is clearly tightening its grip on low-value imports. Nearly 5.9 billion sub-€150 parcels entered the bloc last year, many failing safety checks. This direction of travel isn’t reversing. Sellers who get their cross-border setup right now will be in better shape when the next change lands.
What to do now
- Check your carrier. Globalmail users need an alternative today.
- Fix your checkout. Duty should be collected upfront, not left to the delivery company.
- Consider EU inventory. Holding stock inside the EU sidesteps the issue entirely.
- Plan ahead. A permanent €2 per-parcel inspection fee is also coming, likely from November 2026.
Need help navigating cross-border compliance or EU marketplace strategy? Luzern works with brands across European marketplaces every day. Get in touch to talk through your options.