This measure is included in the reform of the European customs system and is intended to help cover the costs of the security checks carried out on low-value parcels entering the EU; the volume of such parcels reached 5.9 billion items in 2025.

The European Commission has released this information, which has been reported by NiT magazine, and the exact amount of the charge will shortly be determined by the EU executive, with it being reviewed every two years; it is different from the three-euro fixed fee which was introduced in July after the customs duty exemption came to an end.

This new charge aligns with Brussels’ approach of regulating and monitoring the growing trend of direct imports driven by e-commerce, most of which come from Asian markets.

Together with the new financial charge applicable to postal parcels, the new legal framework also places more responsibility on retailers and online marketplaces to comply with all the customs and tax requirements set by the Member States.

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