EU Plans to Raise Tax on Incoming Small Parcels to €5

According to available information, the EU plans to increase the tax on incoming small parcels from €3 to €5 per item starting November 1, 2026. Internal European Commission documents estimate that this measure would generate an additional €6 billion in annual revenue for the EU, mainly from small parcels shipped directly through cross-border e-commerce.

The tax per parcel would increase by €2, approximately two-thirds more than the current amount. For orders containing low-value items, this fixed additional charge could account for a larger share of order costs and affect businesses’ calculations of shipping costs, product pricing, and profit margins.

Whether the cost is ultimately borne by the seller, the logistics provider, or the consumer will depend on the specific transaction arrangements. Businesses may also face higher compliance costs. The actual impact will need to be assessed in light of the scope and implementation details announced later.

The projected additional annual revenue of €6 billion is an estimate in internal documents, not revenue that has already been realized. Actual revenue and market impact will also depend on factors such as the number of parcels covered.