The European Union began applying a new handling fee to online purchases from outside the bloc on November 1. The measure is intended to help offset the rising costs faced by customs authorities as they supervise the growing flow of parcels.
The new charge is €2 and differs from the levy introduced in July in two key ways. First, it applies to all orders, regardless of the value of the items. The July charge was limited to orders worth less than €150, while the new fee applies to any package entering the European Union.
The calculation is based on each reference or line included in the customs declaration. Each of those lines carries a €2 surcharge. Unlike the July levy, which is expected to remain in force at least until July 1, 2028, the handling fee currently has no announced end date.
The additional costs are putting further pressure on Chinese retailers that have traditionally offered some of the lowest prices to European customers. AliExpress, for example, is promoting logistics and loyalty initiatives, including one-day delivery for products already stored in European warehouses. Those shipments are not affected by these EU surcharges.
For products shipped from China, purchases below €150 can now face the combined impact of both charges: €3 for each product category under the July measure and €2 for each customs-processing line under the new handling fee.
Sources: Xataka Móvil.