From 1 July, the de minimis rules in the EU change, removing the long-standing Customs duty exception on parcels valued under €150 and replacing it with a flat tariff of €3. The move has been made to protect the market from the flood of ultra-low-cost goods from Chinese ecommerce platforms such as Shein and Temu, which EU retailers say have been exploiting the de minimis exemption to undercut them.
However, the changing regulations add to the operational and cost complexity for British retailers selling cross-border in Europe. The tariff applies to each item within a single parcel, meaning costs can quickly stack up – and further regulatory changes are expected, as David Jinks, M.I.L.T, head of consumer research at Parcelhero, explains: ‘The abolition of the de minimis rule could be followed later in the year by a separate €2 processing fee, expected in November 2026.”
Local fees also apply
On top of that, some EU member states are already introducing their own local fees and requirements in parallel with the EU-wide reform. Jinks said: “Romania was an early mover, introducing a RON 25 (approximately £4.35) logistics tax from 1 January, 2026, on items posted from outside the EU valued under €150. France followed, introducing a €2 small parcel tax from 1 March, 2026, applying per classified HS code in a parcel. Italy is introducing its own €2 Customs administration fee from 1 July, 2026.”
While this is a temporary measure – a new EU Customs Data Hub, replacing 27 national systems, is expected to be operational around 2028 – Jinks points out that this is a substantial compliance burden. Retailers operating cross-border now need to understand the specific requirements and fee structures of each individual destination country, on top of the new EU-wide tariff.
What this means for retailers
So, how can UK retailers prepare for this? “Our strong advice to any business shipping B2C goods to the EU is to act now,” Jinks cautioned. “Audit your product catalogue, ensure your HS codes are accurate and up to date, understand how your shipping costs will change, and decide clearly whether those additional duties will be absorbed by your business or passed on to the customer.
He added: “Clarity for the consumer at checkout will be essential – there is nothing more damaging to customer loyalty than an unexpected bill at the door.’
For UK retailers, the removal of the de minimis threshold ushers in a more complex and costly trading environment in which preparation will be critical. Retailers that get ahead on classification, pricing and clear communication at checkout can limit disruption, protect margins and avoid eroding customer trust.
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