Extra-EU parcels, as of today a 2-euro customs surcharge per line

Since November 1st, a new handling cost for parcels from non-EU shops has been in force in the European Union: 2 euros for each line of the customs declaration, with no minimum value thresholds. The measure, reported by XiaomiToday based on a European Commission statement, adds to the levy that already came into force in July, often referred to as the “Shein tax”.

The mechanism affects each individual item listed in the customs declaration, not the overall value of the shipment: a parcel with several items listed separately therefore generates a cost proportional to the number of declared lines, regardless of the price paid for the individual products. This is a different approach compared to the July levy, which was designed more around the value of the goods than their bureaucratic breakdown.

According to the source, the European Commission introduced this new cost to offset the increased expenses incurred by customs authorities in controlling the growing flow of parcels from non-EU e-commerce platforms. The measure therefore falls within a logic of covering administrative costs linked to the increase in international shipment volumes to European consumers, rather than being a measure designed to discourage purchases.

For those who regularly buy online from platforms based outside the Union, the practical effect is a double layer of additional costs compared to before the summer: the one introduced in July and the one taking effect today. The combination of the two levies adds to the original purchase price and shipping, making the calculation of the final cost for the consumer more complex than the single figure shown in the shopping cart at the time of order.

It remains to be seen, in the coming weeks, how non-EU e-commerce platforms will communicate the impact of this second levy to their European customers and whether they will include it in the final price shown at the time of purchase or charge it separately during customs clearance. The source consulted does not currently provide any indications on this practical aspect.