Dutch consumers could pay up to €15 more on foreign shipments from July 1, 2026
European Union finance ministers agreed Friday to impose a 3 euro import fee per product on packages from outside the EU starting July 1, 2026, while the Netherlands plans to add a separate 2 euro surcharge per product, potentially raising costs for Dutch consumers by up to 15 euros for multi-item packages, NU.nl reported.
The measures target packages valued at up to 150 euros, while more expensive shipments already face import duties. The EU aims to curb the flood of small packages, particularly from China, that have overwhelmed European customs services. Popular webshops such as SHEIN and AliExpress are among the main sources.
Caretaker Dutch State Secretary for Fiscal Affairs and Customs Eugène Heijnen said, “If you look at the enormous volume of packages arriving in Europe, we think this is a very good measure.”
Customs authorities warn that many packages ordered abroad are routed through the Netherlands before being forwarded elsewhere, adding to the workload. The European Commission also notes that non-EU products may not meet European safety and production standards, and fraud can occur.
A spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Finance said, “The import fee is also beneficial for European and Dutch entrepreneurs. European consumers often order from non-EU webshops because prices are cheaper.”
In addition to the EU fee, the Netherlands intends to introduce an extra 2 euros per product to cover customs administration. Pending approval from the Dutch Council of Ministers, the surcharge could be applied as early as January 1, 2026.
“If implemented, Dutch and European extra costs would stack. Importing a package from, for example, Canada would cost at least 5 euros more than it does now. A package with three different products would face 15 euros in import fees,” the ministry spokesperson said.
