€3 import fee now applies to cheap packages from outside the EU
As of today, July 1, the European Union has ended its exemption for imports valued under 150 euros. A new 3-euro fee now applies to packages shipped from outside the EU. This includes orders from countries such as China, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States. It primarily affects online platforms like Temu and Shein.
Every eligible shipment is now subject to a minimum charge of 3 euros per product group. A product group refers to a category of goods. Clothing, for example, is one group. Electronics are another. The fee is charged separately for each group within a single order.
This structure directly affects total costs. If a customer orders two T-shirts, they fall under one product group. The fee is then 3 euros. If a customer orders a T-shirt and a USB cable, the fee is 6 euros. If a customer orders a USB cable, a jacket, and lipstick, three product groups apply. The total fee is then 9 euros. The EU says customers can lower costs by combining items within the same category in a single order.
Payment depends on the seller and the delivery method. Large platforms such as Temu and Shein usually collect the fee at checkout.
If the seller does not handle the fee, delivery companies such as PostNL, DHL, or DPD collect it. Customers receive a digital payment request before delivery. The package is only released after payment is completed.
If payment is not made, the parcel is held at a warehouse. It may later be returned to the sender or destroyed, depending on the shipping agreement.
The EU introduced the measure to manage the growing volume of small-value imports. It was also done to reduce pressure on European retailers, which must comply with stricter rules and safety standards.
