The European Union will begin applying a €2 handling fee to all packages entering the bloc from outside its 27 member states starting Sunday, November 1. The charge applies to each distinct item or product category within a parcel, regardless of value, and adds to an existing €3 duty on small shipments worth less than €150 that took effect in July.

Officials say the fee will help offset rising administrative and inspection costs driven by the surge in e-commerce shipments, particularly from Chinese platforms such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. Nearly six billion small parcels arrived in the EU last year, with roughly 90 to 93 percent originating in China. The €3 duty alone already reduced small-parcel volumes by 60 percent between July and September, according to the European Commission.

Sellers, platforms, and intermediaries must pay the new fee, though the EU maintains that European consumers will not bear the direct cost. In practice, higher expenses are expected to be passed along through price increases. The handling fee is permanent and covers data verification, risk analysis, infrastructure, and controls. The €3 duty remains temporary until July 2028.

The policy forms part of a broader customs overhaul approved in September that aims to create a level playing field for European businesses facing competition from low-cost imports. Concerns over product safety and regulatory compliance with goods from outside the bloc have also played a role. Revenue from the fees will be split, with 75 percent directed to the EU budget and 25 percent retained by member states.

The changes arrive just ahead of the peak holiday shopping period, including Black Friday and Christmas. Earlier data showed customs declarations for low-value items accounting for 97 percent of declarations but only about 2 percent of import value, highlighting the administrative burden on national authorities.