New customs duty for shipments under €150 from outside the EU starting July 1, 2026

The reform applies to all shipments arriving from outside the EU – including small e-commerce orders that, for example, DHL Express delivers daily to customers in Finland.

A significant change will take place in the EU customs system on July 1, 2026, when the exemption from customs duties for shipments valued at under €150 will be removed. In practice, this means that a customs duty will be charged on every shipment arriving from outside the EU, regardless of its value.

The change particularly affects private customers whose shipments from outside the EU have previously fallen below the customs duty threshold.

Previously, shipments valued at under €150 from outside the EU were exempt from customs duties. However, starting July 1, 2026, a new model will apply under which a customs duty of €3 will be charged per product category.

Since the fee is determined per product rather than per parcel, the total cost of an individual shipment may increase quickly if it contains several different products.

This is an official government charge – not a fee set by the carrier

The new customs duty is a statutory charge collected by Customs authorities as part of EU legislation. The role of the carrier, such as DHL, is to handle customs clearance on behalf of the customer and to pass on the charges set by the authorities.

The fee is not imposed by the carrier, and the carrier does not decide its level or structure.

Why is the exemption being removed?

The reform is part of a broader EU customs overhaul driven by the rapid growth of e-commerce and the increase in small shipments.

According to the EU, the current duty exemption has created unfair competition for European businesses and has increased abuse, such as undervaluing goods to avoid customs charges.

In addition, large volumes of small shipments enter the EU annually, placing a burden on the customs system and making it more difficult to monitor product safety.

The aim is to create a more level playing field in the EU internal market and ensure that all goods are treated consistently regardless of their value.

Read more about the change on the Finnish Customs website.