EU introduces €2 customs handling fee on non-EU online purchases

The European Union began applying a €2 customs handling fee on 1 November 2026 to goods purchased from online shops and marketplaces outside the EU and shipped to consumers in the bloc. The fee applies regardless of parcel value and is calculated for each distinct goods type declared, not for each parcel. A shipment containing two different goods types can therefore incur €4 in handling fees.

For consignments worth up to €150, the fee is added to the existing €3 temporary customs duty per item. For consignments above that threshold, normal customs tariffs apply where relevant, alongside the €2 handling fee. VAT is calculated under the usual rules.

The charge applies to commercial online purchases, not ordinary gifts sent from one private individual to another. A platform, seller or delivery operator may handle the customs declaration and payment. Depending on the arrangement, the cost may be included at checkout or become payable when the goods are imported.

The change affects consumers and businesses across Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, although how costs reach buyers depends on the seller and carrier.

Sources: Latvian State Revenue Service; Lithuanian Customs; Estonian Tax and Customs Board.