Is Your Business Ready for the EU’s "De Minimis" Overhaul?

For years, the €150 de minimis threshold was the foundation of cross-border e-commerce, offering a duty-free gateway into the EU. That era ends July 1, 2026, replaced by a flat €3 customs duty per HS code on low-value parcels.

With nearly 5.8 billion parcels entering the EU bloc in 2025, the EU is attempting to neutralizing the price advantage non-EU sellers may have held over domestic retailers.

This move presents a paradox, however. The EU may be shooting itself in the foot by taxing consumers during continuous inflation—especially when so many 'European' brands outsource manufacturing to countries like China. Yet, this friction might be intentional as it appears that platforms like Shein and Temu are primary targets. By making distant imports more expensive, the Commission may be effectively “subsidizing” the competitiveness of European-made goods, accelerating the shift toward onshoring.

Old Tactics vs. New Realities

Many businesses currently bring finished goods in bulk into duty suspension, making the customer the importer to avoid duty liability. While this strategy is likely to persist with import costs being absorbed by the customers/buyers, there may be better ways to deal with the new rules to ensure that both customer and supplier remain happy. Additionally, all solutions are bespoke and depend entirely on your business model, the goods being sold, as well as the already formed logistics processes which often can struggle with change.

*The UK confirmed it will maintain its £135 threshold until 2029.

If this is something you wish to explore, please contact us for a consultation.

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