Currently, parcels sent from a non-EU country to a consumer in the EU are not subject to customs duties if the value of the goods is less than € 150 (known as the de-minimis-customs threshold). In addition to import VAT, a customs declaration is also required, but no customs duties are levied. Due to unfair competition from the influx of cheap goods from non-EU countries (especially China), EU finance ministers have already agreed in the past to abolish the € 150 duty-free limit. This was planned for 2028 following the introduction of a central EU customs data platform. At the Council meeting on 13 November 2025, due to the urgency of the situation, it was agreed to create a simple, temporary solution as soon as possible in 2026. This was also done against the background of avoiding individual EU member states creating unilateral regulations in advance. It remains to be seen what the exact transitional solution will look like.
Entrepreneurs who currently benefit from the € 150 duty-free limit are strongly advised to consider how to deal with the imminent new circumstances (e. g. adjustment of the flow of goods, if necessary) and should follow developments in the coming weeks.