Overview

• The European Commission has proposed a €2 fee on small parcels entering the EU directly from non-EU e-commerce platforms and €0.50 for packages processed in EU warehouses.
• The measure is aimed at offsetting customs management costs brought on by a surge in low-value imports, which reached 4.17 billion parcels in 2024, 91% originating from China.
• Maroš Šefčovič, the EU Trade Commissioner, clarified that the fee is not a tax but a cost-recovery charge to address logistical and administrative challenges.
• The proposal is part of a broader effort to modernize the Union Customs Code and eliminate the duty-free exemption for imports under €150.
• If implemented, the fee could generate up to €3 billion annually to support customs operations and EU budgets.