New EU and national measures are drastically changing the customs rules for low-value e-commerce parcelssent from countries outside the EEA. 

The rapid increase in low-value e-commerce parcels entering the EU, particularly from outside the EEA, has placed growing pressure on customs authorities. In response, the EU has proposed changes as part of its wider customs reform package, including the removal of the €150 customs duty exemption, the possible introduction of handling fees and the development of the Customs Data Hub as a centralised digital customs system. 

In February 2025, the European Commission had outlined a proposal to introduce a non-discriminatory handling fee (indicated as likely to be €2) on small parcels entering the EU, as part of its e-commerce policy framework. The measure was designed to address the rising workload for customs authorities linked to increasing parcel volumes.

However, Cullen International’s new benchmark shows that some member states have pre-empted this EU measure, introducing (or considering introducing) a national handling fee for small parcels. Where countries have introduced such a fee, such as in France, Italy and Romania, there are differences in the fee level, collection method, type of payer and implementation mechanism. 

The potential coexistence of EU-level and different national measures creates operational and regulatory divergence within the EU Customs Union, raising questions about fragmentation, competitive distortions, traffic diversion and operational complexity for postal and logistics operators.

The new benchmark shows whether member states are applying a specific small parcel handling fee, compares fee levels, the legal basis, collection mechanisms, and implementation status.

Scope
Region: Europe
Countries covered: 22
Policy area: Postal, customs, e-commerce regulation
Last updated: May 2026

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