EU scraps €150 tax break for imports—what changes on 1 July 2026?

A major change to EU customs rules is on the way. Starting 1 July 2026, the €150 tax exemption for small consignments from non-EU countries will end. Businesses and online platforms are now preparing for new fees and stricter procedures that could reshape how goods enter Europe. The current tax break allows small imports to enter the EU duty-free if their value stays below €150. Under the new system, this exemption will disappear. Instead, a flat customs fee of €3 per product category and a processing charge of around €2 per shipment will apply.

The shift means higher costs for direct imports, especially for low-margin goods. Fees will be calculated per tariff line, so mixed orders with different product types will become more expensive. This could make direct-shipping models from non-EU countries less viable.

To adapt, many international platforms are already moving stock into European distribution centres before dispatching to customers. This approach, known as consolidated shipping, avoids repeated customs checks and reduces delays. Companies that import goods in bulk before distributing them locally are likely to see an advantage.

Customs and tax checks will also need to happen earlier in the supply chain. Businesses must integrate these steps into their logistics to keep operations smooth. Larger trading platforms, with more resources, are better placed to handle the changes than smaller sellers. The reform will push businesses to rethink their logistics and processing setups. Higher fees and stricter rules may squeeze profit margins for direct imports, while consolidated shipping models could become more common. The changes are set to increase competition in the industry, with bigger platforms likely to adapt more easily than their smaller rivals.