EU Tax on small packages: What’s changing for online shopping starting July 1

Bad news for anyone who regularly shops on e-commerce platforms outside the European Union. Starting July 1, 2026, a new European tax of 3 euros will take effect on small packages from non-EU countries, including those valued at less than 150 euros that previously benefited from simplified procedures.

The measure will affect millions of shipments and could have a direct impact on the final prices paid by consumers, particularly for low-cost purchases from China. VAT will then be added to this flat-rate tax of 3 euros per shipment. This additional cost could weigh heavily on low-value purchases, making it less advantageous to order inexpensive products from ultra-fast fashion and international e-commerce platforms.

Why the European Union introduced said tax

The new tax is not merely a fiscal measure. Brussels is, in fact, seeking to regulate the explosive growth of small packages originating mainly from China—a phenomenon which, in recent years, has put pressure on European customs systems.

According to the European Commission, in 2024 alone, approximately 4.6 billion small packages entered the single market, 91% of which came from China. This volume not only generates increasingly high administrative costs but also complicates checks on product safety, compliance with European standards, and adherence to tax rules.

The stated objective is therefore twofold: to fund border control activities and to reduce competitive imbalances between European companies and major non-EU e-commerce giants, which are often accused of benefiting from more favorable conditions than merchants operating within the Union.

What could change for consumers

For those who frequently purchase small items online, particularly from Asian marketplaces, this new system could result in higher costs and longer processing times. Very low-value products could lose much of their financial appeal, prompting some consumers to turn more toward European sellers.

In the meantime, the only certainty is that the 3-euro European fee will take effect on July 1.

Source: EU