The measure targets low-value e-commerce imports, aiming to address the surge in small parcels entering the EU, ensure fairer competition with EU sellers, and strengthen customs control.
The EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) met in Brussels on 12 December 2025, where EU finance ministers discussed financial market integration, simpler regulation, and economic governance.
At the ECOFIN meeting, EU finance ministers agreed to abolish the customs duty exemption for e-commerce shipments valued under EUR 150. In its place, the EU will introduce a fixed import duty of EUR 3 per package.
It mainly targets low-value e-commerce imports, aiming to address the surge in small parcels entering the EU, ensure fairer competition with EU sellers, and strengthen customs control.
This measure is a transitional solution and will apply from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2028.
Earlier, ECOFIN agreed to end the exemption for goods valued at EUR 150 or less from customs duties on 13 November 2025. ECOFIN noted that such small parcels, especially from China, have created unfair competition for EU sellers and raised environmental concerns.
