EU customs changed today. Here’s what it means and how we keep you shipping.
From 1 July 2026, the EU’s duty-free threshold on parcels is gone. Whether you’re sending a gift to a friend in France or running a Shopify store shipping to Europe, here’s a clear guide to what changed, who it affects, and how Happy-Post handles it.
Before vs After
What actually changed on 1 July?
Before 1 July 2026 → From 1 July 2026:
- Duty-free threshold: Parcels under €150 entered duty-free → Threshold abolished
- Duty charge: None on parcels under €150 → €3 per item type (HS code) on all B2C parcels under €150
- Mixed-HS code orders: No duty → €3 × number of distinct product types. 3 SKUs = €9
- France (additional): €2/HS code tax was in force March–June 2026 → French €2 tax suspended on 1 July, now subject to standard €3 EU duty only
- Personal Gifts under €150 exempt → Gifts under €45 exempt
- Goods over €150: Standard customs duty applied → No change
Who It Affects
Does this affect you?
Personal sender callout
Sending a personal gift to Belgium or France? You’re likely unaffected. The new €3 duty applies to commercial, business-to-customer shipments, not personal gifts. If your parcel is a genuine gift to an individual and is worth under €45, there is no VAT and no duty.
Seller callout
Selling goods to EU customers? The new rules apply to you. Every B2C parcel you send to an EU customer valued under €150 now carries a €3 duty per item type. If you’re not shipping Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), your customers are being asked to pay this at the door before they can receive their order, which may lead to refused deliveries and chargebacks.
What Is DDP and Why It Matters
The fix: Delivered Duty Paid shipping with IOSS
DDP under the IOSS scheme means you, the seller, are responsible for paying duties and VAT– not your buyer. You can choose to have duty and taxes calculated at checkout, and include it in your customers’ total payable. This means their parcel arrives at the door with nothing more to pay.
The alternative — DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) — means the delivery carrier shows up and asks your customer to pay before handing over the parcel. After July 1, that bill includes the new €3 duty.
Carrier Disruption Note
Worth checking: is your current carrier still running?
Several carriers paused their UK→EU lanes in the days around the rule change because they didn’t have DDP infrastructure ready. If your EU orders have stopped moving, your carrier may have quietly pulled the lane.
Happy-Post’s UK→EU lanes are DDP-ready and running today. If you need to switch, you can get a quote and be back up within the hour.
Still shipping. Still simple.
Whether you’re sending a gift or running a business, Happy-Post has you covered. No lane gaps. No surprises.
Frequently asked questions
Find clear answers to the most common questions about the EU customs changes from 1 July 2026, including the end of the €150 duty-free threshold, the new €3 duty, personal gifts, DDP and IOSS.
What changed for UK to EU parcels on 1 July 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the EU removed the customs duty exemption that previously applied to parcels valued at €150 or less. Low-value commercial parcels entering the EU from outside the EU may now be subject to a temporary €3 customs duty per item type.
Does the new EU customs rule apply to all parcels?
No. The new €3 duty mainly applies to commercial business-to-consumer shipments, such as online orders sent from a UK seller to an EU customer. Genuine personal gifts may still qualify for gift relief if they meet the required conditions.
Are personal gifts to the EU still exempt?
In many cases, yes. A genuine gift sent from one private individual to another may be exempt from customs duty and VAT if the intrinsic value is €45 or less and the parcel is correctly declared as a gift.
I’m sending a gift to France, Belgium or another EU country. Do I need to pay the new €3 duty?
If it is a genuine personal gift under €45, the new commercial duty should not apply. The parcel must be sent person-to-person, correctly declared, and must not be linked to a sale or business transaction.
I sell online from the UK to EU customers. Am I affected?
Yes. If you sell goods to EU consumers and ship parcels from the UK into the EU, the new rules are likely to affect you. Commercial parcels valued at €150 or less may now carry a temporary €3 customs duty per item type.
Is the €3 charge applied per parcel or per product?
The €3 duty is applied per item type or customs classification, not simply per parcel. For example, if one order contains three different product types with three different HS codes, the duty may be €9 rather than €3.
What is an HS code?
An HS code, or Harmonised System code, is a customs classification used to identify the type of goods being shipped. It helps customs authorities determine the correct duties, taxes and import requirements for each product.
What does DDP mean?
DDP stands for Delivered Duty Paid. It means duties and taxes are handled before delivery, usually at checkout or through the seller’s shipping process, so the customer receives the parcel without being asked to pay extra at the door.
Why is DDP important after the EU customs changes?
DDP helps avoid surprise charges for customers. If a seller ships Delivered Duty Unpaid, the customer may be asked to pay customs charges before delivery, which can lead to refused parcels, poor customer experience and refund requests.
What is IOSS?
IOSS stands for Import One Stop Shop. It is an EU system that allows sellers and marketplaces to collect VAT at checkout for eligible low-value imports into the EU, generally for consignments not exceeding €150.
Does IOSS remove customs duty?
No. IOSS is mainly a VAT simplification system. It helps sellers collect and declare VAT, but it does not remove customs duty. After 1 July 2026, customs duty may still apply to low-value commercial shipments.
What happens if I ship DDU instead of DDP?
With DDU, or Delivered Duty Unpaid, the customer may need to pay import charges before the parcel is released. After the July 2026 changes, this can include the new €3 duty on eligible commercial low-value parcels.
Could customers refuse delivery because of these charges?
Yes. If a customer is unexpectedly asked to pay duties or fees at delivery, they may refuse the parcel. For ecommerce sellers, this can create return costs, delays, support requests and possible chargebacks.
Do the changes affect goods over €150?
Goods over €150 were already subject to standard customs duty rules. The July 2026 change mainly affects low-value commercial parcels that were previously exempt from customs duty under the €150 threshold.
Are UK sellers still able to ship to the EU?
Yes. UK sellers can still ship to EU customers, but they need the right customs setup. Using DDP-ready shipping helps make the buying experience smoother because customers are not surprised by extra charges on delivery.
Why have some carriers paused UK to EU shipping lanes?
Some carriers may pause or restrict lanes when customs requirements change, especially if their systems are not ready to support the required data, duty calculation or DDP process. Sellers should check whether their current carrier is still accepting EU shipments.
Is Happy-Post still shipping from the UK to the EU?
Yes. Happy-Post’s UK to EU lanes are DDP-ready and running, helping both personal senders and businesses continue shipping to EU destinations without unnecessary lane gaps or customer surprises.
Can Happy-Post help if my current carrier has stopped EU shipments?
Yes. If your current carrier has paused or restricted UK to EU services, Happy-Post can help you move to a DDP-ready shipping solution and get parcels moving again quickly.
What should online sellers do now?
Sellers should review their EU shipping setup, check HS codes for their products, confirm whether they are using DDP or DDU, and make sure duties and taxes are handled clearly at checkout. A DDP-ready carrier can help reduce delivery friction and protect the customer experience.