Parcels from outside the EU may face new surcharge
Alongside the temporary €3 customs duty, a European handling fee is likely from November.
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Orders from outside the European Union could become more expensive again from November. The European Union is working on a handling fee for customs, on top of the fixed €3 import duty that has applied to small consignments since July.
For consumers, the exact amount of the new fee has not yet been set. Dutch Customs information refers to a European handling fee expected to apply from November 2026. The fee is intended to cover the costs of processing and checking e-commerce consignments from outside the EU.
Since 1 July, importers have already paid a fixed customs duty of €3 per product category for consignments worth up to €150. A parcel containing, for example, clothing and electronics therefore falls under two categories and can incur €6 in import duties. For this temporary arrangement, it makes no difference whether the order comes from China, the United Kingdom, the United States or another non-EU country.
The new handling fee is a separate measure. Dutch official documents cite €2 per declaration line as the intended amount. In practice, a declaration line represents a product group with its own commodity code. That amount is not yet a final consumer price: online shops, importers and carriers may absorb the costs or pass them on in full or in part.
The reason is the strong growth in cheap direct consignments to European consumers. The European Council previously stated that the old exemption for small consignments had put additional pressure on customs services, created risks for consumers and placed European sellers at a competitive disadvantage. Under EU rules, the temporary €3 levy runs from July 2026 to July 2028, or until the new European customs system becomes operational.
Dutch Customs previously reported that the number of small parcels from China had fallen sharply after the €3 duty was introduced. At the same time, according to the service, some trade is shifting towards bulk imports and European warehouses. Products are therefore imported collectively first and then sent to customers within the EU, which could mean that the new costs work out differently for individual parcel deliveries.
For consumers, the main implication is that the price at the checkout will become less predictable. The €3 levy, VAT, any carrier charges and the handling fee, whose amount has not yet been set, may all exist alongside one another. The European measure will also apply to all goods sent directly from outside the EU to consumers, not just to Chinese online shops.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Since 1 July 2026, a €3 customs duty per product category has applied to small consignments from outside the EU.
- The European Union is working on a separate handling fee for customs processing.
- The amount of that fee and the extent to which online shops or carriers will pass it on are not yet final.
- The measure applies not only to consignments from China, but to direct consignments from all countries outside the EU.
Left
Arguments The EU must prevent consumers on low incomes from footing the bill for a system that has mainly enabled large platforms and international sellers to grow. Investment in customs and consumer safety is defensible, but the costs should fall primarily on large platforms and importers.
Values Affordability, consumer protection and a fair distribution of public burdens.
Consequences A broad surcharge could make purchases more expensive for people who depend on cheap products. Targeted levies on large platforms and better enforcement could achieve the same objective with less pressure on households.
Centre
Arguments A uniform European fee makes more administrative sense than separate national surcharges. At the same time, consumers must be able to see clearly in advance which costs apply, and the revenue must demonstrably go towards customs, safety and enforcement.
Values Practicality, transparency and a level playing field within the single market.
Consequences A European scheme could reduce differences between member states, but the transition period with multiple levies will make prices complicated for the time being.
Right
Arguments Cheap imports should not be favoured over European shops that do comply with European rules, taxes and safety standards. Anyone bringing goods to European consumers must also contribute to checks and enforcement.
Values Personal responsibility, equality before the law and protection of national and European businesses.
Consequences Higher import costs could improve the competitive position of European sellers and discourage unsafe products. At the same time, consumers may have less choice and businesses may pass on the costs.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s central points are based on official information from Dutch Customs, the European Council and the Staatscourant. Uncertain elements, such as the final amount and consumer price of the handling fee, are explicitly described as expectations.
- confirmed Since 1 July 2026, a €3 customs duty per product category has applied to small consignments from outside the EU. — Confirmed by Dutch Customs and the Council of the European Union. source
- confirmed The new handling fee is a separate measure alongside the €3 customs duty. — Dutch Customs explicitly distinguishes between the two measures. source
- confirmed The European handling fee is expected to be introduced from November 2026. — Dutch Customs and the official explanatory note cite November as the expected implementation period. source
- confirmed Dutch official documents cite an amount of €2 per declaration line. — This amount is listed as the intended handling fee in the Staatscourant; it is not yet a final consumer price. source
- confirmed Under EU rules, the temporary customs duty runs from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2028, or until the new system becomes operational. — Confirmed by the Council of the European Union. source
- confirmed The number of small parcels from China fell sharply after the €3 duty was introduced, and some trade is shifting towards bulk imports. — Dutch Customs reported this development; NOS reported on it based on Customs data. source
Editor's note
It is certain that since 1 July a temporary €3 customs duty per product category has applied to small consignments from outside the EU. A European handling fee is expected from November; its final amount and the exact extent to which it will be passed on to consumers have not yet been established.Sources
- Nederland krijgt geen nationale handling fee — Douane Nederland
- Extra kosten bij online bestellingen — Douane Nederland
- Staatscourant 2026, 22390 — Overheid.nl
- Council gives final green light to new customs duty rules for small parcels — Raad van de Europese Unie
- Fors minder pakketjes uit China sinds heffing van 3 euro — NOS
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „pakketjes douane”
- Trouw — „pakketjes douane”
- RTL Nieuws — „pakketjes douane”