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Shipping to Europe is Changing in 2026

New EU customs regulations will significantly reshape how cross-border e-commerce shipments are handled—from duties and data requirements to delivery responsibilities.

For businesses across the world shipping to Europe, understanding these changes is essential to remain compliant and maintain a seamless delivery experience.

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Customs modernisation

What is changing in EU customs regulations?

The European Union is implementing a series of reforms throughout 2026 as part of its broader customs modernisation programme.

From 1 July 2026

 The €150 duty-free exemption for low-value imports will be removed
A fixed customs duty per item will apply to most e-commerce shipments
Greater emphasis on accurate product classification and customs data

These changes reflect the EU's effort to improve compliance, address fraud, and ensure fair competition across markets.1

By 1 November 2026

 Introduction of a customs handling fee on imported parcels, it is proposed at €2 per HS code.
Enhanced requirements for data validation and customs control
Continued shift towards structured import responsibility models

This is part of the transition towards a more digital and centralised EU customs framework.2

Key Takeaway

Low-value shipments will no longer benefit from simplified treatment—they will require clear duty handling, stronger data accuracy, and structured compliance processes.

What do these changes mean in practice

These regulatory updates affect three key areas of cross-border e-commerce operations:

Duties and Cost Structure

  • Duties will apply to a broader range of shipments
  • Charges may be calculated at item level rather than per parcel
  • Businesses will need to rethink how duties are managed and presented

Data and Compliance Requirements

  • Customs authorities will require more detailed product-level information
  • Accuracy in value, HS classification, and origin becomes critical
  • Customs clearance increasingly depends on complete and structured data

Delivery and Responsibility Models

  • Clear allocation of responsibility for duties and import processes
  • Closer alignment between checkout, shipping, and customs handling
  • Need for more predictable and structured delivery workflows

 

Example Order to France

A customer in France orders 1 T-shirt worth €40 and 1 pair of shoes worth €60. The total product value is €100.

Before mid-2026 changes

Customs Duty French Small Parcel Tax(since Mar 1, 2026) VAT (France ~20%)Calculated on goods + applicable charges Estimated Total
€0 (under €150 EU duty exemption)
  • €2 per item category
  • T-shirt (€2) + Shoes (€2) = €4
 (€100 + €4) = €104
VAT = €20.80
  • Product/DAP value: €100
  • French parcel tax: €4
  • VAT: €20.80
Total: ~€124.80

From July – November 2026

Customs Duty(EU-wide) French Small Parcel Tax(since Mar 1, 2026) VAT (France ~20%)Calculated on goods + applicable charges Estimated Total
€3 per item category

T-shirt (€3) + Shoes (€3) = €6
  • €2 per item category
  • T-shirt (€2) + Shoes (€2) = €4
 (€100 + €6 + €4) = €110
VAT = €22.00
  • Product/DAP value: €100
  • Customs duty: €6
  • French parcel tax: €4
  • VAT: €20.80
Total: ~€132.00

 

How will this affect your e-commerce business?

These changes go beyond regulation—they directly impact how your business operates when selling to Europe. As you prepare, consider the following:

 

Pricing & checkout experience

How will duties, taxes, and total landed cost be presented to your customers?
 

Delivery strategy

Is your current delivery model aligned with new customs requirements?
 

Operational readiness

Are your systems ready to manage more detailed customs data?
 

Customer experience

How predictable and transparent is your delivery journey today?
 

Scalability

Can your current approach support growth under increasing regulatory complexity?

Key Perspective

There is no longer a single "default" way to ship to Europe. Businesses will need to adopt a delivery strategy that aligns with both their model and the evolving regulatory landscape.

A Smarter Approach to Shipping to Europe

Smart Delivery & Customs Services by Asendia are designed to help businesses across the world navigate these changes with flexibility and confidence. Rather than relying on one delivery model, businesses can choose from a range of options based on:

  • Their business model and growth stage
  • Their customer experience strategy
  • The regulatory requirements of their destination markets

Core Principles

 

Flexibility

Multiple delivery & duty management options to suit different needs
 

Compliance

Solutions aligned with evolving EU customs regulations
 

Transparency

Clear and structured handling of duties, taxes, and fees
 

Scalability

Designed to support businesses expanding into Europe

Flexible delivery and customs options

Asendia provides a range of delivery models to support different operational and commercial strategies:

 

Delivery Duty Paid (DDP)

  • Duties and taxes managed upfront
  • Suitable for full cost control and transparent checkout experiences
 

Asendia Duty Prepaid

  • Duties managed in advance through structured processes
  • Provides a balanced approach between cost control and operational flexibility
 

Delivered at Place (DAP/DDU)

  • Duties handled at destination
  • Used in models where customer-side payment forms part of the delivery flow

Important note: Each model serves different business needs. The key is to adopt the approach that best fits your operations, customers, and regulatory requirements. The customs options available vary by country of despatch.

EU Customs_Contact Us_2026

Disclaimer

The information described above provides simplified explanations of the new EU Customs and Handling Fees. However, this information is not exhaustive and it is highly recommended to rely on the existing regulations in force to have a more comprehensive view on the impact of the new rules on your business. For more information, visit the European Commission website.

Sources

1. European Commission – EU introduces customs duties on low-value e-commerce packages | https://commission.europa.eu

2. KPMG – EU Customs Union reform and new e-commerce duties | https://kpmg.com

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