Customs updates from around the world

30.03.2026

Switzerland:

The Swiss Customs Authority is introducing new Precious Metal Control (PMC) rules effective from April 1, 2026. These rules apply at brand level. They ensure that all shipments imported into Switzerland from the Rest of World – including B2B, B2C and C2C shipments – containing precious metals are correctly linked to a registered brand owner. The PMC regulations do not affect exports from Switzerland to the Rest of World.

What does this mean for you?

The following information must be included on the Commercial Invoice:
• Responsibility Mark (Authorisation Number) at line-item level on the Commercial Invoice
• Registered brand or brand owner name at line-item level on the Commercial Invoice
• Goods description including the precious metal details (what the item is made of and the percentage of precious metals) at line-item level on the Commercial Invoice and within the shipment data.

More details

View presentation

FAQs

28.03.26

Italy:

Important notice:
The fee for shipments with a declared value under €150 has been temporarily suspended until 01/07/2026.

Although this fee officially came into effect on 01/01/2026, DHL only started charging it from 01/03/2026, which means some customers may be eligible for a refund.

What does this mean for you?

• Customers with a DHL payment agreement (e.g., SDD or bank transfer) – refunds will be processed automatically; no action is required on your part.
• Customers charged between 01/03/2026 and 13/03/2026 – you can contact DHL Express Customer Service via the website or chat to check eligibility and request a refund.
• Charges made directly through Italian authorities (not via DHL) – refund requests must be directed to the relevant Italian authorities, not DHL.

01.01.2026

As of 1/1/26, the Italian government is imposing a new fee on shipments originating outside the EU. The fee will apply to shipments at a declared value for customs purposes less than €150, and will be €2 per shipment). The change is relevant to all recipients in Italy and is expected to affect import processes with low value. 

For all details

18.03.26

France:

EORI Number Change (Effective 01/01/2026)
France has changed the structure of EORI numbers from the SIRET-based 14-digit format to a new 9-digit format called SIREN.

This means that all customers in France (both senders and recipients) must use the new, shorter EORI number. Using the outdated format may cause delays in customs clearance.

Action required:
Ensure that all EORI details in shipments to and from France are updated to the new SIREN format to avoid customs delays.

• More details
• View Presentation
• FAQs

26.02.26

Starting 01/03/2026, the French government will impose a new fee on shipments originating from outside the EU.

• Applies to shipments with a declared customs value under €150.
• Fee amount: €2 per item line in the shipment.
• This mandatory fee is levied by the French government, not DHL, and will affect all recipients in France.

Impact:
This change may affect low-value import shipments, so proper declaration and fee handling are essential.

• More details
• View Presentation
• FAQs

16.03.2026

Poland:

Poland’s SENT monitoring system, in place since 2017, is being expanded to include shipments containing clothing, used clothing, and footwear for the first time.

Effective March 17, 2026, any shipment exceeding publicly defined weight or quantity thresholds will require an active SENT declaration. Please note that this requirement is not supported within the standard DHL Express network.

What this means for DHL customers:

• Only shipments that fall below SENT thresholds will be accepted under standard TDI and DDI services.
• Shipments exceeding the defined weight or value thresholds are permitted only if the consignee in Poland holds AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) status.
• If the consignee does not have AEO status, shipments must be routed via SSD (Special Services) for customs clearance and transportation.

Current thresholds (subject to ongoing regulatory updates):

• 31.5 kg for clothing
• 20 pairs for footwear

Please note: These thresholds are still under discussion with government authorities and may change.

03.03.2026

New Zealand:

Starting April 1, 2026, all import and export shipments to and from New Zealand valued at up to 1,000 NZD will be subject to a new government‑mandated regulatory charge. This fee, introduced by the New Zealand Government, will include Goods & Services Tax (GST) as outlined below:

Export Fee

• NZD 2.48 per shipment
• Plus 15% Goods & Services Tax (GST)

Import Fee

• NZD 2.21 per shipment
• Plus 15% Goods & Services Tax (GST)

For more information, please refer to the official government guidelines.

01.02.2026

Türkiye:

As of 6/2/26, Turkey will cancel the exemption threshold for BTC shipments, and the exemption will be reduced to 0 (from 30 euros). 

This means that all shipments will be processed through a formal process, so they will no longer be cleared with DHL and will have to go through the clearance of an external customs broker.

All customs brokers are required by law to charge the recipient a minimum regulatory brokerage fee (about 70 euros). 

For all details  

To view the presentation about the update

To answer frequently asked questions

29.01.2025

Change in the way the value is calculated for customs purposes – shipping costs will be included in the calculation

Although Turkey has canceled direct trade ties with Israel, there are still quite a few who trade with it in crooked ways. Therefore, it is necessary to be familiar with the changes in the way the value is calculated for customs purposes. Shipping costs will now be included in the value calculation, and it's important to make sure your shipment meets the simple customs clearance threshold. For the full update.

15.01.2026

Portugal:

As of 1/1/26, the Portuguese customs authorities have updated the existing "optional charge". 

Now, a new update has been made that the charge applies to shipments that have been in storage for 3 days or more during the customs process. 

It is important to note – this is a mandatory charge set by the customs authorities in Portugal and not a DHL charge.

 For the full table and more information

To view the presentation about the update

To answer frequently asked questions

01.01.2026

Romania:

As of 1/1/26, the Romanian government is imposing a new fee on shipments originating outside the EU. The fee will apply to shipments with a declared value of less than 150 euros for customs purposes, and will be 25 Romanian lei (about 5 euros per shipment). The change is relevant to all recipients in Romania and is expected to affect import processes with low value. 

For all details  

To view the presentation about the update

To answer frequently asked questions
 

29.12.2025

Egypt:

From 1 January 2026, the Egyptian Customs Authority will also apply the ACID number requirement to Express shipments  weighing more than 50 kg, regardless of the value of the shipment.
The purpose of the requirement is to enable the prior inspection and approval of the shipment details by customs, even before it arrives in Egypt. Without a valid ACID   number, the shipment will not be able to be released in Egypt and the shipment will be returned to the country of origin. 

Learn more
To view the presentation about the update
To answer frequently asked questions

29.12.2025

Thailand: You should pay attention! There is an extension of the validity of VAT collection

As of January 1, 2026, goods from the rest of the world to Thailand with a value of one or more THB (1 THB) will be subject to full customs duties in accordance with Thai customs regulations when importing into Thailand. Shippers from the rest of the world to Thailand:

• Inform their customers in Thailand about the imposition of customs duties on shipments worth more than one Thai Baht.
• Make sure that the delivery note and invoice include the exact details of the delivery recipients, including the recipients' name, email address, and mobile phone number.

28.12.2024

The levy on shipments to the country, which began last year, has been extended until the end of 2025. Accordingly, goods worth up to $40 sent to Thailand are subject to a 7% VAT. For full details and requirements.

18.12.2025

Macedonia:

As of December 18, 2025, the De-Minimis in Macedonia has been canceled. Shipments worth up to 22 euros are expected to pay VAT from the first euro.

Learn more about the change

To view the presentation about the update

To answer frequently asked questions

09.12.20205

Mexico:

As of September 9, 2025, the importer in Mexico is obligated to independently submit an electronic import declaration (declaration of value) through the Mexican government's foreign trade system "VUCEM".

To avoid delays in the delivery of shipments, it is advisable to make sure that the importer you are working with in Mexico is familiar with the new procedures and that they are working accordingly.

The obligation will be enforced as of 01/04/2026.

15.12.2024

Beginning in October, any low-value shipment to Mexico (under $2,500) will require details such as: importer/recipient's tax identification number, detailed description of the goods, and more.  For full requirements.

01.11.2025

The European Union:

As part of the EU customs reform, the application of a regulatory handling fee to low-value shipments imported from countries outside the EU is being promoted.

According to the proposal, a handling fee of €2 per item will apply to shipments with a value of less than €150 (B2C and B2B, excluding prohibited or restricted goods). The purpose of the fee is to compensate the customs authorities for the increasing costs of customs clearance and compliance checks, in view of the increase in the volume of low-value shipments.

The implementation of the EU Common Handling Fee is expected to begin in November 2026, but the exact date and details of implementation are still in discussion between the EU Council and the European Parliament. At the same time, a number of EU member states are taking steps to apply national regulatory handling fees even before the EU's uniform fee mechanism comes into effect. Learn more

26.11.2025

Update on the Regulation on the Prevention of Deforestation (EUDR)

On 26 November 2025, the European Parliament approved a one-year delay in the start of implementation of the EU Regulation on the Prevention of Deforestation (EUDR).

Updated Application Dates:

• Operators in the European Union that are medium/large companies: December 30, 2026

• Operators in the European Union that are a micro/small company: June 30, 2027

In addition to the postponement, the European Parliament is expected to publish easing and clarifications regarding due diligence process requirements and re-examining the impact and administrative burden of the regulation.

It is recommended that businesses continue to prepare for the implementation of the installation in accordance with the updated schedules. For more details

14.10.2025

Kenya:

As of 1/10/25, the Kenyan Customs Authority will enforce the requirement for a Certificate of Origin (COO), which came into effect on 1/7/25. Customs requires the presentation of a certificate of origin issued by a competent authority in the country of export for all goods imported into Kenya. The requirement is implemented to ensure compliance with internal clauses in Kenya designed to maximize the collection of relevant taxes from importers.

The change is significant from the previous practice, when a certificate of origin was required only for goods imported as part of trade agreements, for the purpose of determining the origin of the goods and granting quota benefits.

When you don't need a certificate of origin:

1. Less than USD 1,000
2. and weighing no more than 70 kg,
3. Provided that the shipment is shipped by courier (DHL Express).

If one of the conditions is not met, a certificate of origin is required.

DHL can only provide the certificate issuance service through the export institute at an additional cost. For more details click here.

07.08.2025

United States:

Here are 2 new customs updates published by the U.S. government: 1. As of August 7, the tariff rate on shipments from Israel to the U.S. will increase from 10% to 15%. This supplement applies to most types of shipments, except for goods such as: donations, personal items, medicines, wood, metals, and more. According to an exact classification code only. 2. As of August 29, the cancellation of the customs exemption (De Minimis) will apply to all countries.            For full details about the changes , click here.

03.04.2025

In accordance with President Trump's announcement regarding the change in the amount of tariffs upon entry into the United States, effective Saturday, April 5, 2025, the United States has imposed a 10% tariff on all shipments imported to the United States from all countries. Shipments that departed before this date are completely exempt from customs duties.

03.02.2025

On February 4, 2025, an important U.S. customs update came into effect, according to which any shipment originating in China or Hong Kong COO (regardless of the country of shipment) will no longer be eligible for a U.S. customs exemption (de minimis) and will be required to undergo a formal or informal entry process. In addition, additional duties will apply in accordance with the US Customs Board (HTSUS).

05.06.2025

Canada:

As of May 20, 2025, the Canadian Customs Authority (CBSA) CARM system has become mandatory for all importers, including non-resident importers (NRIs), regardless of the value of the goods. The new system is designed to streamline accounting and taxation processes, and to enable convenient and interactive communication with the authorities through a single digital platform. For more details – click here.

25.03.2025

United Arab Emirates:

From 1 April 2025, significant changes to the UAE customs system will come into effect under the PLACI programme. Under the change, all incoming, outbound and transit shipments through the EU will be required to submit prior security reports to avoid potential security risks. For details of the requirements, click here.

04.02.2025

United Kingdom:

The United Kingdom has launched the "PREDICT" program, which aims to improve the security of air shipments entering its territory. In order to get through the process quickly, it is important to provide information according to the new requirements. For full details.

28.01.2025

Vietnam:

New requirement- As of February 18, any shipment to Vietnam with a value of up to $40 will be subject to a 10% VAT.
To avoid delays and ensure that VAT is collected according to your Terms of Business (DDP/DAP), it is recommended that you follow the steps below.

01.12.2024

The trade agreement, which came into effect last month, provides an opportunity for Israeli businesses to expand their activity in the Vietnamese market, with customs benefits and reduced costs of products. Customs Procedure.    

01.12.2024

Germany:

As of January 1, 2025, a customs update in Germany will come into effect , and any heavyweight shipment to Germany will need to include a tailored weight label on the bill of lading.