The EU Eliminates the Tariff Exemption for E-commerce Shipments Under €150
The European Union has taken an important step in reforming its customs system by eliminating the customs duty exemption for e-commerce shipments valued at less than 150 euros originating from third countries. The measure responds to the strong growth in international online shopping and aims to ensure more balanced competition, strengthen consumer safety, and improve import controls.
Until now, these shipments were exempt from tariffs, a rule established when online shopping was still rare. However, the rise of e-commerce platforms has completely changed the landscape. In 2025 alone, nearly 5.9 billion low-value packages arrived in the EU, equivalent to more than 16 million shipments per day.
Under the new regulations, products imported through e-commerce will be subject to a temporary tariff of 3 euros per item. This amount will not be paid directly by the consumer at the time of delivery; rather, it will be handled by the e-commerce platforms, sellers, or operators responsible for the import, who are expected to include it in the final price of the product.
One of the main goals of this reform is to restore a level playing field between European companies and large international operators. In addition, the European Commission aims to combat practices such as undervaluing goods or splitting orders to circumvent the previous 150-euro limit.
The reform also focuses on consumer safety. According to data from the European Commission, more than 60% of low-value products inspected in 2025 did not comply with European safety or labeling regulations. To strengthen controls, the use of Product Identifiers (PIs) is being introduced, which will facilitate the detection of non-compliant goods and improve the traceability of shipments. Their use will be voluntary starting in July 2026 and mandatory as of November of that same year.
The 3-euro tariff will be temporary until 2028, when the European Union’s new Customs Data Center becomes operational. This system will allow customs duties to be applied based on the tariff classification, origin, and actual value of each good, within the new European customs model.
For the logistics and customs sector, this reform represents a step toward greater digitization, traceability, and efficiency in import management. At the same time, it underscores the importance of specialized advice to ensure compliance with increasingly stringent regulations that are adapted to the growth of international e-commerce.