ECOFIN has agreed to abolish the existing exemption that allows goods valued under EUR 150 to enter the EU without paying customs duties.
The EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) agreed to end the exemption for goods under EUR 150 from customs duties on 13 November 2025.
ECOFIN noted that such small parcels, especially from China, have led to unfair competition for EU sellers, raising environmental concerns.
“I am very pleased that we have reached an agreement on eliminating the EUR150 customs threshold. We ensure that duties are paid from the first euro, creating a level playing field for European businesses and limiting the influx of low-cost goods. We also agreed on the need to work towards a temporary solution as soon as possible in 2026,” said Stephanie Lose, Danish minister for economic affairs.
First, EU finance ministers agreed to abolish the current rule that allows goods worth under EUR 150 to enter the EU without customs duties being paid. Once the EU customs data hub – the proposed EU central platform for interacting with customs and strengthening controls – becomes operational, currently expected in 2028, relevant customs duties will apply to all goods entering the EU.
Due to the urgency of the situation, the Council also made a commitment today to work towards a simple, temporary solution to levy customs duties on such goods as soon as possible in 2026 and until the customs data hub becomes operational in 2028. Work to develop the solution will continue in the coming weeks.
Earlier, the European Central Bank (ECB) reported, on 11 November 2025, that China’s surge of low-priced exports to Europe is driven more by weak domestic demand than by US tariffs.
