Starting on Wednesday, June 30, 2026, the European Union will implement a new customs duty for small-value package imports from non-EU countries. This change affects consumers who purchase goods online from third-party countries, particularly those valued under 150 euros per item. Under the updated regulations, buyers will have to pay a temporary customs fee of three euros for each item in their shipment. The measure aims to address the growing volume of cross-border e-commerce transactions and ensure fair taxation within the EU framework.
The new rule applies to all items in a package, meaning that if a shipment contains multiple products, each one will incur its own three-euro charge. For example, a package containing five T-shirts would result in a total customs fee of fifteen euros. If additional items such as a raincoat or shoes are included, the fees increase accordingly—six euros for the raincoat and nine euros for the shoes. These charges are added to the existing value-added tax (VAT) that has been applied since the inception of the EU’s customs system.
In addition to the three-euro per-item fee, consumers will also face higher costs associated with customs brokerage services. The new rules limit the ability of brokers to act on behalf of importers, which means that direct representation by the broker is now required. This shift is expected to raise the overall cost of importing goods into the EU, especially for smaller shipments where the administrative burden is relatively high compared to the value of the goods themselves.
Consumers should note that these new duties do not apply if the goods were already located within the EU at the time of ordering. This includes situations where the product was stored or manufactured in another EU member state before being shipped to the consumer. However, some online retailers might create the impression that their goods originate from within the EU when they actually come from outside the bloc. Consumers are advised to verify the actual origin of their purchases before making a transaction to avoid unexpected charges.
Another significant change introduced by the new regulation is the removal of the option to reclaim customs duties upon returning goods purchased online. Previously, if a customer returned an item worth less than 150 euros, they could request a refund of both the VAT and the customs duty. Now, this possibility is eliminated unless the return involves defective goods or items that fail to meet contractual conditions. Any claims for a refund must be made within one year of the customs clearance date, not the order date.
The effective date of the customs clearance is crucial for determining whether the new fees apply. Even if a customer placed an order before the implementation of the new rules, if the package enters the customs process after June 30, 2026, the three-euro fee will still be applicable. This means that some orders placed prior to the new policy could still be subject to the additional charges depending on the timing of the customs clearance.
The three-euro customs fee is intended to be a temporary measure until the EU establishes a permanent solution for taxing such imports. According to current plans, this interim arrangement will remain in effect until 2028, when the EU expects to finalize a more comprehensive regulatory framework for cross-border e-commerce. Until then, the new fee will primarily impact online purchases from platforms such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, which frequently handle large volumes of low-cost international shipments.
According to data from Slovenia's Financial Administration, the number of packages valued under 150 euros that did not previously require customs duties has been declining over recent years. In 2025, there were 206,974 such packages, down from 272,128 in 2024 and 285,128 in 2023. This trend suggests that the volume of affected shipments may continue to decrease as more consumers become aware of the potential additional costs and adjust their purchasing behavior accordingly.
6 reports
N1 SlovenijaIndependentCenterFactual 92Objective 855 days agoStarting Wednesday, purchases from Chinese online marketplaces such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress will cost more due to new customs regulations in the European Union. The updated rules introduce a temporary customs duty of three euros per item in a shipment valued at up to 150 euros. This applies regardless of whether the purchase was made through the IOSS system, where VAT is paid upfront, or via standard customs procedures. The fee does not apply if the goods are already located within Slovenia or another EU country at the time of ordering. Additionally, the new rules limit the type of customs representation available, potentially increasing associated costs. Consumers are advised to verify that items are indeed shipped from an EU member state before purchasing. The temporary duty is expected to remain in effect until the EU reaches a permanent agreement on taxing such imports, likely by 2028.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual explanation of new EU customs regulations affecting online shopping, without overtly favoring any political side. It explains the changes neutrally, citing official sources and outlining both the implications and exceptions of the new rules.
Why these scores (Factual 92 · Objective 85): Very clear and concise explanation of the rule change, includes practical advice for consumers. Neutral tone with balanced coverage of impacts on both consumers and businesses.
24ur (POP TV)IndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 702 days agoThe European Union has implemented a new system starting today that increases customs duties by up to nine euros for purchases from Chinese online retailers like Temu, AliExpress, and Shein. The change affects customers who buy multiple items from these platforms, requiring them to pay additional fees. However, some platforms have already integrated these charges into their shopping carts, while others, such as Shein, offer a 'European warehouse' category to avoid tariffs. According to officials, packages will be taxed at the first entry point within the EU, often Hungary, meaning Slovenian Post may not charge extra fees for Temu deliveries. Other sellers may include the duty in product prices or calculate it within the cart. Experts suggest large retailers will handle the process for consumers, ensuring transparency in final pricing.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a new EU regulation affecting e-commerce without overtly favoring any political side. It includes quotes from officials and explains both the implementation and potential impacts without taking a clear ideological stance. While the topic involves international/
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 70): Detailed explanation of changes, including examples and quotes from officials. Maintains neutrality but shows some preference for consumer perspective over business implications.
DemokracijaParty-alignedCenterFactual 88Objective 726 days agoStarting Wednesday, online purchases of goods from non-EU countries valued under €150 will become more expensive due to new customs regulations. Under these rules, customs duties will generally be calculated based on the customs declaration, regardless of whether the purchase was made through the special import arrangement IOSS (where VAT is paid at the time of order) or via standard customs procedures. The temporary duty of €3 per item will apply to all items in a package, with additional costs depending on the number of items. This change limits indirect representation by customs agents, increasing associated fees. Goods already located in Slovenia or another EU country at the time of ordering will be exempt from this duty. Additionally, the possibility of refunding customs duties and VAT for returned goods under €150 has been eliminated, except in cases of defective or non-compliant products. The effective date for calculating customs duties is the date of customs clearance, not the order date. The €3 duty on imports from third countries, especially platforms like Temu, Shein, or AliExpress, is temporary and will remain in effect until the EU agrees on a permanent solution,预计 in
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual explanation of new customs regulations without overtly favoring any political side. It outlines changes in customs procedures, exemptions, and their implications but does not include subjective commentary or biased language.
Why these scores (Factual 88 · Objective 72): Clear description of new customs duties, includes specific examples and references to Akos. Slightly more technical than others but remains objective overall.
Slovenske noviceIndependentCenterFactual 87Objective 784 days agoStarting July 1, 2026, Slovenia will implement new customs regulations for goods valued at up to €150 arriving from non-EU countries. In addition to VAT, a temporary customs fee of €3 per item will apply, calculated based on individual items listed in the customs declaration rather than the total package. This change affects online purchases from platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, which are known for low prices. The new rules mean that even orders placed before July 1, 2026, could be subject to these fees if processed after that date. Additionally, returns of goods purchased online will no longer allow for the refund of previously paid import duties unless the product is incomplete or does not match the order.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about upcoming customs regulations without overtly favoring any political perspective. It explains the changes neutrally, citing official explanations from Pošta Slovenija, and provides context about the impact on consumers and e-commerce. There is no evident
Why these scores (Factual 87 · Objective 78): Good detail on new customs rules, includes examples and guidance for checking origin of goods. Maintains balance but slightly emphasizes consumer concerns.
DomovinaIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 752 days agoThe European Union has introduced new rules effective July 1st, which apply to the importation of small packages from third countries. These changes primarily target the influx of cheap goods from China, particularly affecting popular e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. Under the new regulations, purchases valued under €150 will now incur a fixed customs duty of €3 per product category, replacing the previous exemption from customs duties. While Value Added Tax (VAT) remains unchanged, the new measure aims to level the playing field between European and Asian online retailers by increasing costs for cheaper items. The EU Commission has highlighted concerns over the rapid growth of low-cost imports from China, arguing that European businesses face stricter safety, environmental, and consumer protection standards compared to many products from third countries.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the new EU regulations as a balanced policy aimed at addressing market imbalances without overtly criticizing either European or Asian businesses. It explains the rationale behind the change, including regulatory pressures on European companies and the need for fair competition,
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 75): Accurate summary of new customs rules affecting e-commerce from third countries, aligns with cross-source consensus. Slightly biased towards impact on Chinese platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress.
Maribor24IndependentCenter6 days agoThe article explains changes to customs regulations in the European Union effective Wednesday, which introduce a temporary customs duty of three euros per item in online purchases from third countries valued under 150 euros, in addition to VAT. The duty applies to items not already present in Slovenia or another EU country. It outlines that customs duties will be calculated per item in the package, with costs increasing based on the number of items. The article also mentions higher fees for customs representation due to new rules limiting intermediary services. Consumers are advised to verify the origin of goods before purchasing, as some sellers may falsely claim EU-based operations. The new rules eliminate the possibility of reversing customs declarations due to returns and restrict refund claims to specific cases within one year of import. The customs declaration date, not the order date, determines the application of the new duty. The measure is temporary and will remain in effect until 2028 unless replaced by permanent regulations. Statistics show a decrease in such packages compared to previous years.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about EU customs regulation changes without overtly favoring any political stance. It provides balanced explanations of the new rules, their implications, and advises consumers on verification processes. There is no clear ideological leaning in the framing or
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