PostNL processes almost a third fewer Asian parcels
New European import rules are reducing international parcel flows, while total parcel volumes are growing slightly.
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In the third quarter, PostNL processed almost 32 per cent fewer parcels from Asian online retailers than a year earlier. The company attributes the decline mainly to new European import rules that have applied since 1 July.
The figures are contained in PostNL’s trading update for the third quarter. Total revenue came to €768 million, compared with €762 million in the same quarter of 2025. According to PostNL, e-commerce revenue rose from €466 million to €478 million.
According to PostNL, total parcel volume increased by 2.4 per cent. That figure also includes parcels delivered through letterboxes. Excluding that category, domestic parcel volume was virtually unchanged from a year earlier, according to PostNL.
The strongest movement was in international shipments from Asian online retailers. Those volumes fell by almost 32 per cent. PostNL says online retailers are adapting their offerings and logistics processes to the European import rules, causing international flows to shift.
The decline is visible in the Platforms division. Revenue from that division came to €173 million, compared with €188 million a year earlier. Total volume within Platforms fell by 13.1 per cent.
At the same time, PostNL’s European e-commerce activities grew by more than 40 per cent, according to the company. It says that growth was insufficient fully to offset the decline in Asian parcel flows and the reduction in European postal volumes.
PostNL is maintaining its expectation that free cash flow for 2026 as a whole will be approximately zero. PostNL links the changes in its parcel flows to the new import rules.
The precise contribution of the import rules to the decline has not been independently broken down. It is therefore not established to what extent other factors contributed to the decline.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- PostNL reports an almost 32 per cent decline in parcels from Asian online retailers in the third quarter of 2026.
- According to PostNL, the European import rules have been in force since 1 July.
- Total revenue and total parcel volume rose slightly, while international Platforms volumes declined.
Left
Arguments Stricter import rules can be defended as protecting workers’ rights, the environment and fair competition for European companies. The costs of cheap imports should not be shifted on to society and workers.
Values Fair trade, consumer protection and public regulation of international supply chains.
Consequences Online retailers and delivery companies may face higher costs, but European producers and workers may gain more room to operate.
Centre
Arguments The rules must be workable and proportionate. Enforcement, customs capacity and clear information for consumers are at least as important as the new obligations themselves.
Values Legal certainty, workability and a level playing field.
Consequences The transition may temporarily lead to less choice and higher prices, while companies need time to adapt their logistics.
Right
Arguments The decline shows that European rules can make trade and freedom of choice more expensive. Competition should primarily be strengthened through simpler rules and lower burdens for businesses.
Values Freedom for entrepreneurs, low costs and a restrained government.
Consequences Heavier regulation can affect small online retailers and consumers and shift international trade without fully eliminating abuses.
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 figures can be traced to PostNL’s recent quarterly update and an independent trade publication. The text makes clear that the explanation for the decline comes mainly from PostNL itself.
- confirmed Asian parcel volumes fell by almost 32 per cent in the third quarter. — Reported on the basis of PostNL’s trading update. source
- confirmed Total revenue was €768 million, compared with €762 million a year earlier. — Mentioned in the recent quarterly update as presented by Transport Online. source
- confirmed PostNL is maintaining its expectation of free cash flow around zero for 2026. — Mentioned in the quarterly update. source
Editor's note
The quarterly figures and the declines cited come from PostNL’s trading update, as reported by Transport Online. The causal contribution of the import rules is an explanation given by PostNL and has not been fully independently established.Sources
- Nieuwe EU-invoerregels raken PostNL: bijna een derde minder pakketten uit Azië — Transport Online
- Investors — PostNL Newsroom
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „postnl pakketbezorging”
- NU.nl — „postnl pakketbezorging”
- De Telegraaf — „postnl pakketbezorging”