EU to Abolish €150 Import Duty Exemption Threshold Starting July 1, 2026

Date: July 1, 2026

The European Union has officially announced the elimination of the€150 import duty exemption threshold, effective July 1, 2026. Under the new regulation, all parcels entering the EU will be subject to customs duties, regardless of their declared value. This marks a significant shift in EU import policy that will affect both B2B and B2C shipments.

Key Changes & Requirements

1. Duty Calculation Adjustments

B2C Shipments (≤ €150): Previously exempt from duties, low-value B2C parcels will now incur customs duties calculated on a per-tariff-line basis. The duty rate is set at€3 per tariff line item.

B2B Shipments: Commercial shipments will continue to be taxed according to the applicable duty rate corresponding to each commodity's tariff classification.

2. Mandatory Customs Clearance Information

B2B Commercial Shipments: Valid VAT number and EORI number must be provided.

B2C Private Shipments: A valid IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) number must be provided prior to shipment.

⚠️ Risk Notice: Shipments without a valid IOSS number (B2C) or VAT/EORI number (B2B) may still be dispatched, but face a very high risk of customs clearance delays, detention, return, or even destruction. All resulting losses and additional fees shall be borne by the shipper.

3. Commercial Invoice Requirements

All commercial invoices must clearly indicate the trade nature as either "B2B" or "B2C" to ensure proper customs processing.

4. Upcoming Product Identifier (PID) Requirement—Effective November 1, 2026

Starting November 1, 2026, B2C parcels will additionally require the following product identification information:

• Trader ID—Mandatory
• Manufacturer ID—Mandatory
• Standardized Product ID—Required, where applicable

These identifiers are part of the EU's broader efforts to enhance product traceability and consumer safety across the single market.

What This Means for You

The removal of the€150 de minimis threshold represents a major change in EU e-commerce and cross-border trade. Shippers are advised to:

Review and update pricing strategies to account for the new duty costs

Ensure all required identification numbers (VAT, EORI, IOSS) are registered and valid

Update invoicing templates to include B2B/B2C designation

Begin preparing PID compliance systems ahead of the November 1 deadline

We will continue to monitor further developments and provide updates as additional guidance becomes available.

Stay informed. Stay compliant.