EU Customs Reform: what changes for your shipments to Europe starting July 1, 2026

The European Union is launching its most significant customs reform in decades. Starting July 1, 2026, the de minimis duty exemption for all shipments valued at up to €150 entering EU countries will be abolished. Here’s what is changing and how businesses can prepare.

Instead of the current exemption, a temporary fixed customs duty of €3 will be introduced for each individual product item (HS code) in B2C shipments valued up to €150. The key point is that the duty is applied not per parcel, but per unique product type. For example, three identical shirts equal one HS code and incur a €3 duty, while a shipment containing a shirt, a hat, and a sweater represents three separate HS codes and incurs a total of €9. The quantity of identical units does not affect the duty amount — the more diverse the product types, the higher the customs charge.

Customs declaration requirements will also become more detailed, with each product item requiring separate classification and valuation. Providing a product identifier (GTIN/EAN or SKU) will be optional from July 1, 2026, but will become mandatory from November 1, 2026. In addition to the €3 customs duty, several countries have already introduced national processing fees, while an EU-wide Union Handling Fee (approximately €2) is expected to be introduced around November 2026. The €3 duty is temporary and will remain in effect until July 1, 2028.

When using Nova Global’s Global Delivery and Seller One services under DAP (Delivered At Place) terms for shipments to EU countries, customs duties and taxes are payable by the recipient upon delivery of international shipments. We strongly recommend informing your European customers in advance about these additional charges to avoid delivery refusals.

For shipments to EU countries, Nova Global also offers the Global Delivery Economy service under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms. Under DDP, customs duties and taxes are paid in advance by the sender, allowing the recipient to receive the shipment without any additional charges at the time of delivery.

The new rules will apply to all international express shipments crossing customs borders on or after July 1, 2026, regardless of the original shipment creation date.

The payment model is determined by the seller, not the logistics operator. Nova Global provides delivery services and supports businesses with accurate product classification, documentation preparation, and консультацій to ensure smooth customs clearance without delays.

This material is provided for informational purposes only and is based on Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382 and related regulations. Further clarifications and adjustments may follow.