• From 1 July 2026, the EU will impose a €3 customs duty on low-value e-commerce parcels under €150, replacing fragmented national fees, with the aim of standardising compliance and managing high-volume shipments from platforms like Shein and Temu.
• Implementation requires member states to integrate the levy into customs systems consistently; airports and logistics hubs must balance enforcement with trade facilitation to avoid bottlenecks, fines, or traffic shifting to non-EU countries such as the UK or Norway.
• The levy is part of a broader strategy towards a centralised European customs authority and data hub by 2028, encouraging uniform compliance, streamlined processes, and structured collaboration with e-commerce platforms to handle growing cross-border volumes efficiently.

Starting 1 July 2026, the European Union will introduce a €3 customs duty on low-value e-commerce parcels entering the bloc. The levy targets shipments valued under €150 and is meant to replace the patchwork of national handling fees that some member states had started implementing. On the surface, €3 might not seem like much. But when multiplied across millions of parcels, the operational and strategic impact for airports and logistics hubs could be significant. Customs authorities and air cargo operators will need to work closely to make sure the levy is applied consistently—and that trade isn’t unnecessarily slowed down.

“This is a swift reaction to get a grip on things,” said Nathan Goethals, Project Manager at Air Cargo Belgium. “There will be pushback from the industry, and I hope that leads to a proper conversation to help this mature in the market. 

“e-commerce remains like water—it’s going to find its way, either way. European countries that don’t implement the system properly will see companies find perfectly legal ways around the duties. If you’re going to do this, you need to do it as a unified block and in a proper way that leaves room for trade facilitation. This is the European Union reacting to a market that flooded in very fast.”

The levy is part of a broader strategy to manage the explosive growth of e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu. These shipments often enter the EU in high volumes, putting pressure on customs to monitor compliance and ensure product safety. The move also mirrors international trends. In the U.S., for example, the removal of the de minimis threshold shows that governments are increasingly treating e-commerce like any other trade flow. Even small levies, when applied to millions of parcels, can ripple through supply chains and affect hubs across Europe.

“Some countries, like Belgium and the Netherlands, stepped back from national fees after the Commission’s intervention, but others, like Italy and Romania, went ahead,” Goethals explained. “If it were only a national implementation, you’d have a real risk of volumes shifting. 

“The UK could benefit from redirected shipments, for example. But if this is done properly, the industry will adapt. Companies will have Plan B to Z ready, regardless of what’s proposed. The key is implementing this in a structured, uniform European process that avoids fines or bottlenecks.”

Operational and competitive challenges for cargo

Rolling out the levy won’t be as simple as flipping a switch. Each member state will need to integrate the duty into its customs systems, from invoicing to reporting. Any inconsistencies could create loopholes or operational headaches, giving savvy operators ways to work around the rules. Airports and ports face a delicate balancing act: enforcing compliance while staying competitive. Non-EU countries, such as the UK or Norway, could see a shift in traffic if they don’t adopt similar levies. Trade facilitation, not just enforcement, will be a key part of the equation.

“There’s a question of how ports and airports prepare for this,” Goethals said. “You have to keep your relationships with Shein and Temu close. e-commerce is here to stay, so you might as well work with these platforms and make it as structured as possible. 

“Each port and airport authority should stay informed and try to have a say in how the duties are implemented. It’s about balancing EU duties with market facilitation. The industry needs to be part of this conversation to ensure a smooth rollout.”

This levy is just one step toward a larger, long-term plan. By 2028, the EU aims to set up a European customs authority and central data hub that will standardise e-commerce duties and compliance reporting across member states. 

Initiatives like “trust and check” licensing could reduce administrative burdens for major platforms while encouraging compliance. In the meantime, logistics operators will need to adapt quickly, fine-tuning routes and processes to handle growing cross-border e-commerce volumes.

“e-commerce has arrived very quickly in the air cargo industry,” Goethals observed. “Some operators have embraced it fully, others have been more cautious. The EU is reacting quickly because the market grew so fast. 

“The levy is part of helping the market mature and embed these products in Europe. There will be pushback, but that’s part of the process. Companies will find legal ways to operate, so a proper, unified implementation benefits everyone.”

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