The European Union has officially announced that starting from July 1, 2026, the duty exemption for packages valued below €150 will be canceled, and a transitional fixed duty of €3 will be implemented. This duty will be charged based on the Harmonized System (HS) code of the goods, not per package.

1. What Exactly Are the New EU Regulations?

Currently, the EU exempts packages with a value of ≤€150 that are directly shipped from non-EU countries to consumers from duties.

However, starting from July 1, 2026, the EU will officially cancel this policy. The new rules include:

① Cancel the duty exemption for packages below €150;

② Introduce a fixed duty of €3;

③ Calculate based on HS code categories;

④ Not calculated per package quantity;

⑤ A subsequent increase in a €2 customs handling fee mechanism.

2. Charging by Product Category

It's not a flat €3 per order, but €3 per product category.

For example:

① Order A: 10 phone cases, all belonging to the same HS category

Additional duty: €3

② Order B: phone case, charging cable, storage box, three HS categories

Additional duty: 3×€3=€9

The EU official examples also clearly state that different tax categories need to be billed separately.

3. Impact Analysis of 4 Shipping Modes

Scenario One: Direct Shipping from China FBM to Europe

This is the most affected, as it is the mode specifically targeted by the EU this time. Shipping path: China → European consumers.

Characteristics: Each order is declared separately, most with a value below €150, directly subject to the new rules.

Additional costs: €3 per HS category, potentially increased handling fees, and increased customs clearance complexity.

For example: Selling a low-ticket item for €19.99, with an additional cost of €3, profits may directly decrease by 15%-20%.

Conclusion: Sellers who directly ship from FBM to Europe will be the most affected.

Scenario Two: China → EU FBA Warehouse → Consumers

Basically unaffected, as the goods have already become commercial imports when entering the FBA warehouse.

Sellers already need to pay import VAT, normal duties, and complete formal customs clearance.

Therefore, subsequent shipments from German warehouses to German buyers, French warehouses to French buyers, are considered distribution within the EU. This will not incur the additional €3 duty again.

Conclusion: The impact on European domestic FBA sellers is minimal.

Scenario Three: China → EU Overseas Warehouse → Consumers

Basically unaffected. The logic is consistent with FBA.

The goods have been pre-imported in batches and have completed import customs clearance, with taxes and fees already paid. Subsequent shipments are considered circulation within the EU and will not trigger the new policy again.

Conclusion: The overseas warehouse model may even have an advantage.

Scenario Four: UK Warehouse EFN Distribution to the EU

Still affected. Many sellers overlook this point. After Brexit, the UK no longer belongs to the EU customs area. Therefore, shipments from UK warehouses to Germany or France are essentially still import activities.

As long as it meets the criteria of non-EU shipping and the value is ≤€150, it may still trigger additional duties.

Conclusion: Sellers who distribute remotely from UK warehouses to the European market need to recalculate their profits.

4. What Should Sellers Do Now?

The First Thing: Recalculate the Profit Model

Include the additional €3 duty, potential handling fees, and customs clearance costs in the total cost.

The Second Thing: Check Product HS Codes

The core basis for future charges is the HS tax code classification. The more categories: the higher the cost.

The Third Thing: Layout European Warehouses as Soon as Possible

Give priority to European FBA, European overseas warehouses, and local fulfillment. Place inventory in the EU in advance. The advantages will become more and more apparent in the future.

Finally:

For sellers in these situations, such as Dropshipping sellers; FBM direct shipping sellers; Temu/shein semi-managed sellers; independent website European market sellers; UK warehouse shipping to EU sellers, it is necessary to re-evaluate their shipping models and pricing strategies. Because these models are basically single-package direct mail to consumers, they are precisely the focus of the EU's this reform supervision.

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