FAQ: EU introduces €3 customs charge on low-value imports (Effective 1 July 2026)
What has changed?
From 1 July 2026, the European Union has introduced a temporary €3 customs charge on low-value business-to-consumer (B2C) imports valued at €150 or less that are shipped into the EU from outside the EU. This replaces the previous customs duty exemption for these shipments. The measure is intended to improve customs enforcement, create a more level playing field for EU businesses, and support wider EU customs reforms planned for 2028.
Who is affected?
The change affects sellers shipping goods from outside the EU to customers in EU member states where the new rules apply.
If you already fulfil orders from warehouses located within the EU, these shipments are generally not affected by this specific import charge.
Which orders are affected?
The temporary customs charge applies to eligible B2C imports:
- Shipped from outside the EU to an EU customer.
- With a value of €150 or less.
- Covered by the new EU customs rules.
Orders above €150 continue to follow the normal EU customs duty rules.
Is the charge €3 per parcel?
No.
The €3 charge is applied per customs tariff classification (tariff line), not simply per parcel.
For example:
- A parcel that contains multiple items with a final cost of up to €150
Who pays the charge?
This will be monitored by our designated Support team
- We will get in touch and request that you ship the item DDP
- Reimburse you for any €3 charges as part of our commitment to support you
If you're on managed shipping, we will simply ask that you be removed from Managed Shipping for this order, ship DDP and pay the charge. Our team will be in contact for next steps from sellers@artfinder.com
Will this affect delivery times?
Customs processing requirements remain largely unchanged, but sellers should ensure customs declarations are accurate to help avoid delays.
Is this a permanent change?
No. The €3 charge is a temporary transitional measure while the EU implements broader customs reforms. The EU plans to introduce a new customs framework from 2028, replacing the temporary flat charge with a permanent system.
What should sellers do?
We recommend that sellers:
- Ensure customs declarations accurately classify products.
- Monitor future EU customs updates, as additional reforms are expected over the coming years.
Our team will be in touch if any of your orders are affected by you and will support you with the next steps, so don't worry! If you have any questions, please reach out to sellers@artfinder.com