New EU Customs Levy Takes Shape
Starting July 1, 2026, the European Union will introduce a standardized customs charge on parcels valued at €150 or less. The fixed fee will be €3 per item in each shipment. This move comes in response to the surge in cheap imports, primarily from China, which has strained customs operations and threatened the survival of local retailers.
The new rule will apply across all EU member states, including Poland. The tax will be collected even when the product's value is minimal or equals the fee itself. In 2024, the EU recorded 4.6 billion small shipments from China, a number that rose to 5.8 billion in 2025. Tax authorities define an 'item' as a single product or group of goods within a shipment that share the same tariff classification, description, and country of origin.
Market Impact and Business Adjustments
Payment of this duty will be mandatory before goods can be released for free circulation. This taxation regime will operate as a two-year transitional phase. In preparation, Poland's National Tax Administration (KAS) has already begun implementing the new rules. The EU's global customs data processing hub is scheduled to launch in July 2028.
The EU's customs policy is shifting due to the rapid growth of low-cost imports from Chinese e-commerce platforms. The new fee aims to protect the EU's internal market and level the playing field for European manufacturers. For ultra-cheap items, often costing just a dollar, this duty represents a significant price hike. The EU hopes these measures will encourage citizens to buy goods within the European Economic Area. Additionally, a new digital platform will enable real-time tracking of all transactions and goods movements, improving customs procedures.
The introduction of this duty could significantly reshape the e-commerce landscape, especially for foreign platforms selling into the EU. It may also drive consumers to support local producers more actively, as higher import prices could boost demand for EU-made goods. At the same time, the new rules may increase administrative costs for importing companies, a factor they must consider when planning business strategies for the coming years.
In light of these upcoming changes, it's crucial for consumers and businesses to understand how the taxation of shipments will specifically affect parcels arriving from China to Poland. For a deeper insight into these alterations in tax regulations, visit how parcels from China will be taxed in Poland starting July 1, 2026.