Your Guide to 2026 Customs Changes
From 1 July 2026, major updates to EU customs rules will affect all low-value B2C shipments. A second change follows in November 2026, introducing new per-parcel handling fees. These reforms impact all distance sellers shipping into the EU, regardless of origin.
You can find out more about these changes on the European Commission website, but we’ve also summarised them for you below.
Key Regulatory Changes
1. Flat Customs Duty (From 1 July 2026)
- The €150 duty-free threshold is removed
- All low-value shipments become subject to duty
- A €3 fee per declaration line item applies
- (e.g. 3 products = €9 duty)
2. EU Handling Fee (From November 2026)
- Approx. €2 per parcel
- Applies in addition to customs duty
- Replaces various national handling fees
What This Means for Your Business
Example: Typical eCommerce Shipment
A parcel containing:
- T-shirt (€25)
- Jeans (€30)
- Socks (€5)
Total value: €60
Charges:
- €9 duty (3 items × €3)
- €2 handling fee
- €12.60 VAT (21%)
Total import cost: €23.60
These new costs can significantly increase your landed cost per shipment – especially for multi-item orders.
Need Expert Support?
Speak to your account manager or email the customs team at customssupport_ecsuk@dhl.com who will be happy to have a call with you directly.
You build the right commercial structure — we ensure every parcel clears customs efficiently.
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