<p data-path-to-node="2" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-45" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="2" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">BRUSSELS —</b><span class="citation-563 citation-end-563" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> The European Union has officially confirmed that as of July 1, 2026, the long-standing "de minimis" customs duty exemption for low-value consignments—shipments with an intrinsic value of €150 or less—will be formally abolished.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="1" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span> <span class="citation-562 citation-end-562" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">This regulatory shift marks a pivotal moment in the EU’s broader Customs Reform, aimed at modernizing procedures to ensure safety, sustainability, and fair competition in the booming e-commerce sector.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="2" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c3359988372="" _nghost-ng-c370560616="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><h4 data-path-to-node="3" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-46" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span class="citation-561 citation-end-561" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b>The Shift to Flat-Rate Duty</b><source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="3" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c3359988372="" _nghost-ng-c370560616="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></h4><p data-path-to-node="4" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-47" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span class="citation-560" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Replacing the previous duty-free status, the EU is introducing a temporary, flat-rate customs duty of </span><b data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="102" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span class="citation-560 citation-end-560" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">€3 per item<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="4" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span></b>. <span class="citation-559 citation-end-559" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">This measure is designed as a transitional arrangement that will remain in effect until July 1, 2028, at which point the European Commission anticipates the full implementation of the new EU Customs Data Hub.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="5" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c3359988372="" _nghost-ng-c370560616="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="5" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-48" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span class="citation-558 citation-end-558" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Key operational details of the new mandate include:<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="6" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c3359988372="" _nghost-ng-c370560616="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><ul data-path-to-node="6" style="padding-inline-start: 32px; font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="6,0,0" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-49" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span class="citation-557" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"></span><b data-path-to-node="6,0,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Scope:</b><span class="citation-557 citation-end-557" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> The €3 duty applies to distance sales of imported goods with an intrinsic value not exceeding €150, affecting the vast majority of cross-border e-commerce transactions from outside the EU.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="7" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c3359988372="" _nghost-ng-c370560616="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="6,1,0" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-50" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span class="citation-556" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"></span><b data-path-to-node="6,1,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Collection:</b><span class="citation-556 citation-end-556" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> The fee is not a consumer tax collected at the door; it is a customs duty owed by the declarant—typically the seller, importer, or their representative.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="8" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span> <span class="citation-555 citation-end-555" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Businesses are expected to manage this through existing declaration channels (H1, H6, and H7).<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="9" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c3359988372="" _nghost-ng-c370560616="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="6,2,0" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-51" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b data-path-to-node="6,2,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">VAT Impact:</b> The new customs duty is distinct from existing VAT obligations. <span class="citation-554 citation-end-554" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Even if a business uses the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) for VAT simplification, the €3 customs duty still applies.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="10" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c3359988372="" _nghost-ng-c370560616="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li><li style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><p data-path-to-node="6,3,0" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-52" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span class="citation-553" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"></span><b data-path-to-node="6,3,0" data-index-in-node="0" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Standardization:</b><span class="citation-553 citation-end-553" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> Carriers and customs brokers are required to submit standardized electronic shipment data before goods enter the EU, including precise product descriptions and HS classification codes, to ensure compliance.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="11" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c3359988372="" _nghost-ng-c370560616="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p></li></ul><h4 data-path-to-node="7" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b>Driving Factors: Safety and Fair Competition</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="8" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-53" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">The decision to end the exemption follows evidence that a significant volume of low-value imports failed to meet EU safety and compliance standards. <span class="citation-552 citation-end-552" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">During 2025, targeted inspections across the EU 27 identified that over 60% of checked items—ranging from cosmetics and food supplements to toys and electronics—failed to meet mandatory safety requirements, such as proper labeling or the absence of forbidden ingredients.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="12" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c3359988372="" _nghost-ng-c370560616="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="9" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-54" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span class="citation-551 citation-end-551" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Furthermore, the European Commission noted that the sheer volume of 5.9 billion duty-free low-value items shipped in 2025 created an environment of unfair competition for traditional retailers, who are bound by stringent EU environmental and labor standards.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="13" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c3359988372="" _nghost-ng-c370560616="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><h4 data-path-to-node="10" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><b>Preparing for Future Compliance</b></h4><p data-path-to-node="11" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-55" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;">While the €3 flat duty is the immediate priority, businesses are advised to prepare for further integration of digital tracking. <span class="citation-550 citation-end-550" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">From November 1, 2026, additional Product Identifier (PID) data will become mandatory, further tightening the traceability of items entering the European market.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="14" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"> <source-inline-chip _ngcontent-ng-c3359988372="" _nghost-ng-c370560616="" class="ng-star-inserted" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><!----><!----><!----><!----><!----></source-inline-chip><!----><!----><!----></sources-carousel-inline></p><p data-path-to-node="12" id="p-rc_eedf230f6c7ce4b0-56" style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans Text&quot;, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.15 !important;"><span class="citation-549 citation-end-549" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;">Logistics providers and e-commerce platforms are currently reviewing their pricing strategies, Incoterms, and customs data readiness to prevent delivery delays once the new rules take effect on July 1.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c2125138438="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"><sup _ngcontent-ng-c2125138438="" class="superscript" data-turn-source-index="15" style="line-height: 1.15 !important; font-size: 16px !important; background-color: transparent !important;"><!----></sup></source-footnote></span><sources-carousel-inline ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c3359988372="" style="line-height: 1.15 !important;"></sources-carousel-inline></p>