EU Introduces New Regulation: €3 Tax on Low-Value Import Packages
The EU has officially canceled the tax exemption for low-value packages under €150 and will impose a fixed tax of €3 per item. This move aims to address unfair competition from low-priced imports and strengthen product safety standards oversight. Cross-border sellers need to reassess pricing strategies and compliance costs for the European market.
What are the key facts?
- 1€3 temporary tax
- 2Applicable to low-value packages (under €150)
- 3Effective from July 1, 2026
- 4Valid until July 1, 2028
What happened?
The European Commission announced that starting from July 1, 2026, a temporary tax of €3 will be imposed on low-value (under €150) goods imported from outside the EU. This policy will be effective until July 1, 2028. The EU stated that this is to address long-standing trade imbalances and ensure imported goods meet EU safety and environmental standards. Previously, many low-value goods entered the EU market tax-free, deemed unfair competition for local retailers.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
Sellers should immediately adjust the pricing model for European platforms to absorb the additional €3 tax per package. It is advisable to recalculate profit margins and ensure product compliance in light of the EU's increasingly stringent import inspections.