Maersk: EU to abolish the low-value goods duty exemption from July
Maersk has issued a warning that the EU will abolish the duty exemption for low-value goods from July 1, with a fixed tariff of €3 imposed on each item. The move will directly affect cross-border sellers’ pricing strategies and logistics costs.
What are the key facts?
- 1Effective date: July 1, 2026
- 2Policy: Abolition of the low-value goods duty exemption
- 3Tariff: Fixed €3 per item
What happened?
Under the latest policy announced by the EU, all low-value parcels entering the EU will be subject to a fixed €3 tariff per item from July 1, 2026. The measure is a transition step toward comprehensive tariff reform in 2028 and is intended to unify and simplify the tax system for cross-border e-commerce. Its implementation will fundamentally change sellers’ pricing strategies, particularly in relation to logistics costs. Sellers will need to reassess product prices to absorb or pass on the additional charge. For cross-border sellers reliant on low-value goods, the policy will have a direct economic impact and may accelerate price adjustments and intensify market competition.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
Cross-border sellers should closely monitor the policy and adjust product pricing promptly to avoid higher costs. Failure to prepare early could undermine competitiveness. The top-priority action is to update prices for all products and notify consumers that shipping charges and tariffs may increase.