EU Tightens Rules for Shipments from Third Countries

The European Parliament has approved a major reform of the EU Customs Code, which tightens rules on e-commerce and establishes a new customs authority.

A handling fee will be charged on every item ordered from an online store outside the EU and shipped directly to a consumer within the bloc. The European Commission will determine the fee amount. Member states will begin collecting the fee no later than 1 November 2026, and the cost is not to be passed on to consumers.

Sellers and platforms facilitating shipments from third countries will be classified as importers. They will be required to provide customs data, pay or guarantee the fees and ensure that goods comply with EU rules. Repeated violations may result in a fine of 1%–6% of the value of imports over the previous 12 months.

The reform will also establish an EU Data Hub to replace at least 111 existing customs systems. Its use will be voluntary starting in 2031 and mandatory starting in 2034. It will be managed by the new customs authority EUCA, based in Lille, France.

The reform will take effect the day after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU and will be fully implemented within 12 months.

(European Parliament, bak)