EU to End Duty-Free Treatment for Imports Under €150
The EU plans to end the customs-duty exemption for low-value imports under €150 from July 1, 2026. The change will significantly affect logistics costs and customs-clearance procedures for cross-border e-commerce, requiring sellers to reassess pricing and compliance costs.
What are the key facts?
- 1Policy change: End of duty-free treatment for imports under €150
- 2Effective date: July 1, 2026
- 3Scope: Low-value cross-border imports
What happened?
The European Commission recently announced that it will end the de minimis customs-duty exemption for low-value imports under €150 from July 1, 2026. The policy change is intended to strengthen oversight of imported goods and is expected to directly increase customs-clearance costs and administrative burdens for cross-border e-commerce sellers. Sellers will need to take proactive measures to address potential cost increases and compliance risks.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
The change will directly pressure margins for low-value products. Calculate duty costs in advance, review supply-chain locations, and consider EU-based warehouses to prepare for the new clearance requirements.