Maersk Warns of EU Removing Low-Value Goods Duty Exemption from July
Maersk has issued a warning that the EU will abolish the duty exemption for low-value goods starting July 1, imposing a fixed duty of €3 per item. This will directly impact cross-border e-commerce sellers' pricing strategies and logistics costs.
What are the key facts?
- 1Effective Date: July 1, 2026
- 2Policy Content: Elimination of low-value goods duty exemption
- 3Duty Standard: €3 fixed duty per item
What happened?
According to the latest policy announced by the EU, starting July 1, 2026, all low-value parcels entering the EU will incur a fixed duty of €3 per item. This is intended as a transitional measure for the complete tariff reform by 2028, aimed at unifying and simplifying the taxation system for cross-border e-commerce. The implementation of this policy will fundamentally change sellers' pricing strategies, particularly concerning logistics costs, requiring sellers to reassess product sales prices to absorb or pass on this new fee. For cross-border e-commerce sellers relying on low-value goods, this policy will undoubtedly have a direct economic impact, potentially accelerating price adjustments and intensifying market competition.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
Cross-border e-commerce sellers need to closely monitor this policy change to adjust product pricing timely to avoid rising costs. If sellers do not prepare early, they risk losing competitiveness. The top priority action: update all product prices and inform consumers of potential increased shipping costs and duties.