EU introduces new €2 parcel charge as part of customs overhaul

The European Union is imposing a new €2 charge on parcels arriving from outside the bloc, effective this Sunday. The fee comes on top of a €3 charge on small parcels that was introduced in June, and it applies per product category contained in a parcel. For a parcel valued under €150 with one item category, the total charge will be €5.

The measure is aimed at tackling the flood of low-value parcels from online retailers such as Temu and Shein. Until now, parcels worth less than €150 were exempt from customs duties, creating a significant hole in customs revenue and overwhelming customs officers. Kristian Vanderwaeren, Belgium’s head of customs, noted that “the average value of a parcel before the charge was around €5.”

Impact on consumers and customs revenue

Officially, sellers are supposed to pay the new charges, but in practice the costs are passed on to consumers. For example, four different garments ordered from Shein would incur a total charge of €20. The goal is to raise revenue to cover the cost of increased customs checks, which are necessary to fight fraud and ensure product safety.

While the exact revenue from the new tax is not yet known, the €3 charge introduced in June brought in €364 million for Belgian customs between June and September. Belgium is a major entry point for parcels bound for the EU, through the port of Antwerp and Liège airport, so this figure cannot be duplicated for other EU countries. Over a full year, the two charges combined, on top of standard customs duties, are expected to raise a significant amount.

China has described the measure as protectionist, arguing that the cost is largely passed on to European consumers and that the EU is “shooting itself in the foot.” However, Comeos, the Belgian federation for trade and services, welcomed the charge as a response to unfair competition. The European consumer organisation BEUC also supported the move, saying more border controls mean safer products.

Since the €3 charge came into force in June, the volume of small parcels arriving at Liège airport has dropped by 60 percent. For everyday products worth less than €100, the price gap between Chinese and European-made versions is often large. When the gap is between €5 and €20, the charge can tip the balance, potentially encouraging consumers to buy local or not buy at all, keeping money within the EU.