EU's uniform €3 levy on sub‑€150 items set to curb cheap imports

The European Union has introduced a flat €3 customs levy on all imported goods valued at €150 or less, a move directed mainly at cheap products from China. The purpose is to balance import levels and increase transparency for buyers across EU markets.

Starting on the upcoming Wednesday, every line on a B2C distance‑sale customs declaration will incur the identical €3 charge. The EU’s independent revenue authority announced that the previous discount for low‑price imports will be eliminated.

Consumers are already reacting: many are abandoning carts after noticing that a €6 item could end up costing €15 once the duty and ancillary fees are applied. The added expense reduces the attractiveness of sourcing products from China or the United States.

This charge is described as a temporary special duty and will stay in effect until 1 July 2028. After that deadline, all e‑commerce merchandise will be taxed according to the standard tariff schedule, no matter the price.

Customs officers and economic operators are actively applying the new framework. If a shipment clears customs after 1 July, the courier may demand the extra fee at delivery, even when the buyer was not shown this cost at checkout.

The duty must be paid by the declarant – typically the online platform, the seller, or a customs representative. Couriers can collect the sum directly from the end‑user, especially when the IOSs system is used to gather VAT at the point of sale, preventing new liabilities upon delivery.

To combat false product declarations, the EU is rolling out a Product Identifier (PID) program. These identifiers will be cross‑checked with codes stored in the seller’s inventory systems, allowing customs officials to verify the exact nature of the items being imported.