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Shipping & Fulfillment
Shipping Low-Value Goods Into the EU Just Got More Expensive
Most sellers shipping to the EU have heard about the July 1 regulatory change. A €3 duty on low-value imports—sounds manageable. But that’s not quite how the math works, and the difference could catch a lot of merchants off guard.
What the EU de minimis rule change means for your shipments
For years, the EU’s de minimis rule let low-value shipments—anything under €150—enter duty-free. That provision disappears on July 1, 2026.
In its place: a mandatory €3 flat-rate duty per HS code type on any B2C parcel with a total declared value under €150. If your parcel clears that threshold, every distinct product type in the package triggers a separate €3 charge.
- Note: This €3 duty is in addition to standard EU Import VAT, which still applies to all orders.
These EU de minimis shipping changes apply to all B2C shipments arriving in the EU from outside—US, UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond. If you ship from a country with an EU Free Trade Agreement (like the UK or Turkey), reduced or zero rates may apply—but you’re still required to comply with the new data rules. Check with your carrier or customs advisor.
B2B shipments under €150 are not subject to the €3 flat rate. If you have a mix of B2B and B2C volume, you’ll need to flag orders appropriately.
How to calculate EU duty costs on your orders
The €3 duty applies to any parcel valued under €150 total—and within that parcel, it’s charged per HS code type, not per parcel.
HS codes (Harmonized System codes) are standardized product classifications used by customs authorities. Each distinct type of product carries its own code—and each distinct HS code in a shipment triggers a separate €3 charge.
Here’s what that looks like in practice.
A customer orders a t-shirt (HS code: 6109.10), a phone case (HS code: 3926.90), and a scented candle (HS code: 3406.00). Three different product types, three different HS codes—that’s €9 in new duties on a single order.
If two items share the same HS code—say two t-shirts in different colorways—they count as one classification type. But most ecommerce orders, especially in fashion, home, or lifestyle, mix categories.
Run that math on your average EU order. If your customers typically buy two or three product types per transaction, you’re looking at €6 to €9 in duties per shipment. Multiply that across your EU volume, and the numbers matter.
EU de minimis shipping changes will hit sellers differently depending on catalog mix and average basket size. It’s worth knowing your own numbers before July 1.
EU customs data requirements every shipper must know
The duty is only part of the compliance picture. Shippers must also provide significantly more detailed product data with every shipment into the EU.
For each item in a parcel, you’ll need:
Accurate HS codes: used to calculate the €3 duty per item type. Inaccurate codes can cause delays and incorrect charges.
Three Product Identifiers (PIDs): your merchant product ID (like a SKU), a non-standardized manufacturer ID (like a model number), and a standardized ID—EAN, GTIN, UPC, or ISBN.
If you’re not already capturing these identifiers in your product catalog, now is the time. Missing or incomplete data can result in shipments being held or delayed at customs.
While declaring PIDs is technically voluntary starting July 1, 2026, it becomes strictly mandatory on November 1, 2026. We recommend starting as early as possible to help avoid potential border delays.
How the new EU duty affects your return costs
Here’s the detail that tends to catch merchants off guard: the €3 duty is non-refundable on customer returns.
If a buyer in France receives your package and then returns the product, that €3 per item doesn’t come back. Depending on your EU return rate and the mix of products in typical orders, that’s a real cost to factor in.
This is especially relevant for apparel and accessories sellers, where return rates run high. Review your EU margin model and make sure the duty is accounted for—both in pricing and in how you communicate your return policy to customers.
DDP vs. DDU: which option protects your EU customers
When shipping internationally, you choose who pays duties at delivery: the sender (Delivered Duty Paid, or DDP) or the recipient (Delivered Duty Unpaid, or DDU).
DDU puts the charge on your customer’s doorstep—literally. With a new flat-rate duty now applicable on every B2C shipment, DDU means your EU customers will receive a charge request before they can collect their package. That creates friction, and in some cases, refused deliveries that come back to you.
DDP keeps the experience clean. You control the cost, build it into your pricing, and your customer receives their order without surprises.
ShipStation makes offering a clean DDP experience much easier by offering Guaranteed Prepaid Duties and Taxes, allowing you to pay all applicable duties, taxes, and fees upfront so your customers never face surprise charges at delivery. As long as your shipment details are accurate, the quoted duties, taxes, and fees are locked in—no adjustments to those charges after the fact.
For sellers doing any meaningful EU volume, DDP is worth evaluating now—not after your first wave of July complaints.
How to prepare for EU de minimis shipping changes before July 1
July 1 is close. Here’s where to start.
Audit your HS codes. Every product you ship to the EU needs an accurate HS code. If your catalog is large or codes haven’t been reviewed recently, start here.
Gather your product identifiers. Collect SKUs, manufacturer model numbers, and standardized IDs (EAN/GTIN/UPCs) for EU-bound products. These are required at the item level, not the shipment level.
Recalculate your EU margins. Factor the per-item duty into your pricing—especially for multi-SKU orders and high-return categories.
Decide on DDP vs. DDU. Talk to your carrier about prepaid duty options. The customer experience case for DDP is strong.
Contact your carrier. Ask specifically how they’re handling the €3 fee collection and what data they need. Requirements may vary by carrier.
These EU de minimis shipping changes are real, and they’re close. The sellers who come out ahead will be the ones who ran the numbers, updated their product data, and made a plan—not the ones who figured it out mid-July.
For official EU documentation on the regulatory change, visit the Council of the EU’s published guidance.
Make sure your shipping setup is ready for July 1. Start with ShipStation today.
