Good to know! For online shipments from countries outside the European Union, additional fees again 2 EUR

Starting November 1, 2026, Slovenia will introduce a new fee for goods purchased online from countries outside the European Union. The Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (Furs) announced that a processing fee of two euros per item in each shipment will apply, regardless of the total value of the package. This measure is part of the new Customs Code of the European Union, aimed at covering rising costs associated with handling the increasing number of cross-border e-commerce shipments. The fee applies to all items within a shipment, similar to a temporary customs duty introduced earlier this year. Unlike that three-euro-per-item charge, which only applied to packages valued under 150 euros, the new processing fee applies to all shipments, regardless of their value. For packages worth less than 150 euros, buyers will pay VAT, the three-euro temporary customs duty, and the two-euro processing fee per item. For packages over 150 euros, standard customs duties, VAT, and the two-euro processing fee per item will apply. According to Furs, the fee is intended to offset the growing administrative burden faced by customs authorities due to the surge in e-commerce activity. These include data verification, risk analysis, and inspection processes. The exact amount has already been approved, though the implementing regulation defining its application will be published shortly. The European Commission will review the fee every two years to ensure it aligns with actual operational costs. The introduction of the three-euro temporary customs duty in July 2026 led to a 40 percent decline in the volume of imports from non-EU countries, according to Furs. This suggests that the new processing fee could have a similar impact on consumer behavior, potentially reducing the number of such imports further. The new customs code came into effect on September 20, 2026, marking the largest overhaul of the EU’s customs system since 1968. Most provisions will take effect on September 21, 2027, although rules regarding the processing fee will begin applying earlier. Among other changes, the new code introduces the European Customs Authority (EUCA), a centralized customs data hub, and simplified procedures for trusted businesses. Customs authorities across EU member states will start collecting the new fee ten days after the implementation regulation becomes effective, which is expected to be around November 1, 2026. The fee will be paid by the same entity responsible for paying other customs duties upon importation. Consumers shopping from platforms like Temu, Shein, or AliExpress may see additional costs added to their purchases starting in November. While the fee is designed to manage increased administrative burdens, it may lead to higher prices for imported goods, particularly affecting smaller online orders. Buyers are advised to consider these potential extra charges when making purchases from non-EU countries.