Rhenus Group has issued a warning to UK exporters regarding significant changes to EU customs regulations for low-value parcels, set to be implemented on July 1, 2026. These new rules will introduce a fixed €3 customs duty per commodity code for shipments with a value of €150 or less, moving away from the current value-based assessment. The measures are designed to modernize customs procedures for the growing e-commerce sector.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this change necessitates a review of current customs declaration processes for parcels entering the EU from the UK. The shift to a per-commodity-code duty could impact the overall cost and administrative burden for multi-item low-value shipments. Forwarders will need to ensure their systems and client communications are updated to reflect these new charges and avoid delays at customs. Shippers of low-value goods, particularly e-commerce businesses, should factor this new duty into their pricing and logistics strategies for the EU market.
