What exactly changed as of today, and who is affected?

The EU de minimis exemption—which previously allowed parcels under €150 in value to enter the EU duty-free—has been terminated effective immediately. All parcels valued below €150 now face a flat €3 customs duty. This directly affects e-commerce platforms, dropshippers, and low-value importers, particularly those sourcing from China. Parcel carriers and last-mile operators will also bear increased compliance and clearance costs.

Why did the EU make this change now?

The termination of de minimis is explicitly framed as a policy tool to reduce the 'huge influx of cheap Chinese consumables' from platforms like Shein. The policy aims to level the playing field for domestic EU retailers and manufacturers by adding friction and cost to ultra-low-value imports that previously entered with no duty burden.

What are the operational implications for logistics providers?

Parcel carriers and fulfillment operators must now manage customs clearance for goods previously exempt. This increases administrative overhead, requires staff training on new duty collection procedures, and may necessitate changes to sorting and routing workflows. Carriers should expect higher per-parcel costs and potential delays as customs systems adjust to the volume of declarations.

Are there known loopholes or workarounds emerging?

The article indicates that 'possible loopholes' are expected to emerge in the coming months, though specifics are not yet detailed. Supply chain professionals should monitor for strategies such as invoice undervaluation, shipment splitting to stay below €150 per parcel, or consolidation to EU-based fulfillment centers to achieve duty exemptions. Regulatory enforcement variation across member states is also likely.

When will we know the real impact of this policy?

The article explicitly states that 'the outcome of this change will not be known for several months,' suggesting a grace period before clear data emerges on compliance costs, trade flow shifts, and platform responses. Supply chain teams should plan for a period of uncertainty and be prepared to adapt strategies as enforcement patterns and workarounds become apparent.

Trade Policy & Tariffs

High Impact

EU Ends De Minimis: €3 Duty Now on All Sub-€150 Parcels

Jul 1, 2026

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The signal

The European Union has officially terminated its de minimis exemption for low-value imports, marking a structural shift in customs policy that will reshape last-mile logistics and e-commerce supply chains. Under the new regime, all parcels valued below €150 are now subject to a flat €3 customs duty, eliminating the previous free-pass for ultra-low-value goods. This policy change is explicitly designed to stem the tide of ultra-cheap Chinese consumer goods—particularly from fast-fashion platforms like Shein—that have flooded EU markets and undercut domestic retailers.

The full operational impact remains uncertain as of the policy's launch date. While the €3 flat duty appears modest on the surface, supply chain professionals should recognize that the real disruption lies in the compliance overhead: each parcel now requires customs clearance documentation, increasing administrative burden across parcel carriers, fulfillment centers, and last-mile operators. For high-volume low-value importers, this could trigger significant process redesigns, potential use of bonded warehouses, or consolidation strategies to push shipments above the €150 threshold to avoid duty stacking.

The article hints at possible loopholes, suggesting that traders and e-commerce platforms may rapidly adapt through invoice manipulation, shipment splitting, or reclassification strategies. Supply chain leaders should prepare for a period of regulatory clarification and enforcement variation across EU member states. The precedent is unprecedented in scope—no prior de minimis termination of this scale has been tested in real time—making this a high-priority monitoring issue for anyone with exposure to EU-bound low-value goods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

immediate

What if parcel carriers experience a surge in customs clearance delays during the first 90 days?

Model a scenario where EU customs authorities experience a 40-50% increase in parcel declaration volume, causing 1-3 day clearance delays for 15-25% of inbound low-value parcels during the first quarter. Analyze service level impact and whether expedited clearance programs emerge.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if low-value importers shift to consolidation hubs in the EU to avoid duty stacking?

Simulate a scenario where 30-40% of China-to-EU low-value goods are rerouted through EU-based consolidation warehouses (e.g., in Poland, Germany, Netherlands) before final last-mile delivery. Model the impact on transit times, warehouse capacity utilization, and total landed costs when parcel splitting and duty avoidance strategies kick in.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if enforcement variation across EU member states creates compliance complexity and rerouting?

Simulate divergent enforcement of the €3 duty across EU member states, where some countries aggressively audit valuations while others take a lighter touch. Model the network effects as importers reroute shipments to more lenient member states, creating hub concentration at certain EU gateways.

Run this scenario

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The signal

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

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