EU Customs Changes 2026: New €2 Handling Fee and €3 Customs Duty on Imports

What Are the New EU Customs Charges in 2026?

The European Union is introducing changes to customs procedures for goods purchased online from countries outside the EU. The measures apply to eligible e-commerce imports and introduce two separate charges.

These are separate charges and may apply together. Import VAT and any other applicable customs charges must also be considered.

1. New €2 EU Union Handling Fee from 1 November 2026

From 1 November 2026, the European Union will introduce a €2 Union Handling Fee (UHF) for eligible e-commerce goods shipped directly from non-EU countries to consumers in EU Member States.

The fee applies regardless of the declared value of the shipment. Unlike the €3 customs duty, there is no €150 value threshold for the Union Handling Fee.

How Is the €2 Handling Fee Calculated?

The fee is calculated per distinct item in the customs declaration, rather than per package or every individual physical unit.

For example, if a package contains two identical pens, they may be treated as one distinct item. If it contains a pen, a notebook and a key ring, these are three distinct items, resulting in a total Union Handling Fee of €6.

The fee is intended to cover the additional costs associated with customs processing and supervision of the growing volume of e-commerce imports.

2. The €3 Customs Duty Introduced on 1 July 2026

Since 1 July 2026, the EU has applied a temporary €3 customs duty per distinct item to eligible e-commerce consignments valued at €150 or less and imported from outside the European Union.

This measure replaced the previous customs duty exemption for low-value imports. It is separate from the new Union Handling Fee and will apply until 1 July 2028 under the current transitional arrangement.

Does the €3 Customs Duty Apply to Every Shipment?

No. The €3 fixed customs duty applies to eligible consignments with a total intrinsic value of €150 or less. For consignments exceeding €150, normal customs tariff rates apply instead of the €3 fixed duty.

From 1 November 2026, the additional €2 Union Handling Fee will also apply to eligible e-commerce goods regardless of shipment value.

3. How Much Will Customers Pay? Examples of EU Import Charges

The following examples illustrate how the two charges can be calculated for eligible shipments.

Example 1: A Package Containing Three Different Products

Suppose a shipment valued at €100 contains:

• One pen
• One notebook
• One key ring

The total additional charges are €15, excluding applicable import VAT.

Example 2: A Package Containing Two Identical Products

Suppose a shipment valued at €50 contains two identical pens classified as one distinct item.

Import VAT and any other applicable charges are additional.

Example 3: A Shipment Valued Above €150

For a shipment with a value exceeding €150, the normal customs duty applicable to the goods will be calculated according to the relevant tariff classification, origin and other applicable customs rules. The €3 fixed customs duty does not apply. However, the €2 Union Handling Fee per distinct item still applies from 1 November 2026.

4. Who Is Responsible for Paying These Charges?

The legal responsibility for paying these charges rests with the relevant business involved in the import and customs declaration process.

Depending on the customs and shipping arrangement, this may be the e-commerce seller, importer or delivery business responsible for submitting the customs declaration. These businesses may pass the applicable costs on to the final customer.

Therefore, EU customers may be asked to pay additional import charges depending on the shipping arrangement and the delivery service selected.

It is important to understand that the €2 Union Handling Fee and €3 customs duty are not Take&Ship shipping fees. They are separate EU import charges.

5. What Should Take&Ship Customers in the EU Do?

If you use Take&Ship to purchase products from Turkish online stores and forward them to an EU destination, we recommend taking the following steps:

• Check your product details: Provide accurate product descriptions, quantities and declared values.
• Review HS codes: Make sure product classifications are accurate for customs declaration purposes.
• Calculate additional costs: Consider applicable customs duties, handling fees and import VAT when planning your shipment.
• Prepare for possible import payments: Depending on the delivery and customs arrangement, additional charges may be collected by the carrier or responsible customs declarant.
• Keep your invoices: Retain purchase receipts and invoices in case customs authorities request supporting documents.

6. Shipping from Turkey to the European Union with Take&Ship

Take&Ship helps international customers shop from Turkish retailers and forward their purchases to destinations across Europe and worldwide.

With your personal Turkish delivery address, you can order from Turkish online stores, receive your packages at our Istanbul facility and arrange international delivery to your destination.

Whether you are purchasing clothing, shoes, accessories, home products or other eligible goods, our parcel forwarding service makes shopping from Turkey more accessible.

When planning shipments to EU countries, remember that customs duties, import VAT and applicable handling fees are separate from international shipping costs.

Shop from Turkey, Ship to Doorstep.

Create your Take&Ship account and start shopping from Turkey.

Frequently Asked Questions About EU Customs Fees in 2026

When does the new €2 EU Union Handling Fee start?

The new €2 Union Handling Fee takes effect on 1 November 2026 and applies to eligible e-commerce goods imported from outside the EU.

Does the €2 handling fee apply to all shipment values?

Yes. The Union Handling Fee applies regardless of the shipment’s value, provided the goods fall within the eligible e-commerce import rules.

Is the €3 customs duty separate from the €2 handling fee?

Yes. The €3 customs duty and €2 Union Handling Fee are separate charges. Both may apply to eligible consignments valued at €150 or less from 1 November 2026.

Does the €3 customs duty apply to shipments above €150?

No. The €3 fixed customs duty applies to eligible consignments valued at €150 or less. Normal customs tariff rates apply to consignments exceeding €150.

Are these fees charged per package?

No. Both charges apply per distinct item listed in the customs declaration, not per package or per individual physical unit. Customs classification (HS code) determines how customs authorities group products and count distinct items for these charges.

Who pays the EU Union Handling Fee?

The fee is payable by the responsible e-commerce seller or delivery business involved in filing the customs declaration. Depending on the arrangement, this cost may be passed on to the final customer.

Will I also have to pay import VAT?

Yes, import VAT may also apply according to the destination country’s rules. It is separate from customs duty and the Union Handling Fee.

Does the new fee apply to shipments from Turkey to Germany, France and Ireland?

Yes. The measure applies across EU Member States to eligible e-commerce goods shipped directly from outside the EU to consumers within the EU, including Germany, France and Ireland.

Are personal gifts covered by the Union Handling Fee?

EU customs rules treat genuine gifts sent between private individuals differently from commercial e-commerce purchases. These rules exclude genuine private gifts from the Union Handling Fee.

Final Thoughts

The EU customs changes introduced in 2026 mean that customers purchasing goods from outside the European Union may face additional import costs.

From 1 November 2026, the EU will introduce a new €2 Union Handling Fee as part of its customs framework. Customers shipping goods to EU countries should also consider the existing €3 customs duty on eligible low-value consignments when calculating their total import costs.

At Take&Ship, we recommend checking the applicable import charges before arranging delivery to your EU destination.