From November 1, 2026, a new handling fee applies to parcels ordered from outside the European Union, as part of a broader EU customs reform. The fee is €2 per goods item on the customs declaration, and it applies regardless of the parcel's value. If you shop on international marketplaces, here is what changes, who pays, and what to check before you buy.
What exactly changed
Until now, the key charge on low-value imports was a €3 customs duty per declaration line, in place since July 1, 2026, for parcels worth €150 or less, replacing the old duty exemption. From November 1, the €2 handling fee is added on top of that duty, and unlike the duty, it applies to parcels of any value, not just low-value ones.
At the same time, online stores must provide product identifier (PID) data for goods sent to consumers from outside the EU, and that data must be supplied during customs clearance for purchases worth no more than €150. The fee is charged per goods item, meaning identical products with the same commodity code from the same country count as one item, while a parcel with three different product types can attract the fee three times.
Who is affected
The change affects anyone in the EU's 27 member states ordering from sellers outside the EU, including shoppers on marketplaces such as Amazon, Temu and AliExpress. The EU says the fee must be paid by sellers, marketplaces and intermediaries, not charged to consumers directly, and the customs office where the declaration is lodged collects it.
Consumer groups warn, however, that some platforms may pass the cost on through higher prices at checkout, as some did to absorb the earlier €3 duty. Shoppers should therefore expect the total price of some international orders to rise, even if no separate fee appears on their bill.
What you need to do
First, check the total price before you complete checkout, and compare it with local options, since the landed cost of an international order may now be higher. Second, make sure your delivery details are accurate and complete: if duties and fees have not been paid, or the shipment information is insufficient, customs clearance may not be completed and the parcel can be returned to the sender. Third, allow extra time for delivery around the changeover, as sellers and carriers adjust to the new data requirements.
Why it matters
The EU says the fee helps cover the rising cost of customs supervision as international e-commerce shipments keep growing, and the reform shifts most customs obligations onto distance sellers and platforms. Supporters say that makes the system fairer and more consistent. Critics, including consumer organisations, worry the cost will quietly land on shoppers and slow down small orders. Either way, the key date is November 1: orders placed from that day fall under the new rules.
Sources: DHL, Posti / Finnish Customs, Pollar