China’s Ministry of Commerce Responds to Additional Charges on Low-Value Imports Imposed by the EU

On November 5, 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce responded to new EU rules imposing additional fees on low-value imported goods. The EU began charging a €3 customs duty in July and has charged a €2 handling fee since November 1. These changes may affect cost calculations, transaction arrangements, and delivery processes for cross-border e-commerce businesses. The specific scope and implementation details warrant ongoing verification.

Two fees introduced in succession; Ministry of Commerce responds

According to the event summary provided, the EU has charged a €2 handling fee on low-value imported goods since November 1, 2026, following the introduction of a €3 customs duty in July.

At a regular press briefing on November 5, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Huang Ling said that China is highly concerned about the new EU rules. Cross-border e-commerce is an emerging form of international trade that offers businesses and consumers around the world a diverse range of choices. China hopes the EU will carefully assess the policy’s impact and create favorable conditions for China-EU e-commerce cooperation.

Additional fees may affect transactions and delivery

Cross-border e-commerce and export businesses face a need to reassess costs

From an industry perspective, the combination of the new handling fee and the earlier customs duty may change the cost structure of transactions involving the relevant low-value goods. Cross-border e-commerce and export businesses can review the scope, calculation method, and liable party for each fee, and reassess their pricing and profit margins in light of actual orders. The input does not specify the precise basis for calculating the fees, so it cannot be assumed that the same charging method applies to every transaction.

Transaction arrangements need to be checked across sales channels and procurement

The changes in fees may affect how distributors and buyers assess product prices, order arrangements, and transaction terms. Relevant parties can review how fees are allocated under existing transaction agreements, determine whether price adjustments require mutual agreement, and check whether the same rules apply to different goods or transactions.

Supply chain services and consumer experience remain to be seen

If fee collection affects order processing or delivery, supply chain service providers may need to confirm fee details and operational coordination with all parties to the transaction. The fees ultimately borne by consumers and their purchasing experience may also be affected. The specific impact will depend on the actual implementation approach and the arrangements made by the parties involved, so no definitive conclusion can yet be drawn.

Review fee rules and order arrangements

Confirm the scope and calculation method

Businesses can continue to verify how the rules define low-value imported goods and how the customs duty and handling fee are each calculated. For details not specified in the input summary, such as the covered goods, unit of assessment, and exceptions, businesses should rely on verifiable official information and actual implementation practices.

Reassess pricing and allocation of fees

Relevant businesses are advised to assess the potential cost impact of the fee changes in light of their own operations, and to review fee allocation arrangements with buyers, distributors, and service providers. Whether to adjust prices or transaction terms should be determined based on the specific contract and implementation circumstances.

Monitor delivery coordination and subsequent guidance

Businesses can monitor whether fee collection entails changes to order documentation, processing procedures, or delivery arrangements, and confirm any information requirements with relevant partners. They should also keep track of policy details and official statements, and avoid making business decisions based on implementation details that have not yet been confirmed.

Fees are now being charged; their specific effects remain to be seen

In the editor’s view, this news is best understood as a policy response following the introduction of two fees in succession, rather than as a comprehensive account of all implementation details or market impacts. Key points to watch include the scope of each fee, how they are collected in practice, and feedback from businesses and consumers. This information may affect assessments of cost allocation and transaction arrangements.

Base business decisions on verified rules

Overall, these changes add fees that need to be reassessed for transactions involving low-value goods bound for the EU. Businesses can take note of the fee changes that have taken effect while remaining cautious about the specific cases covered, the actual pass-through of costs, and the impact on delivery. Business adjustments should be made once implementation details have been verified.

Sources and further verification

This article was generated based on the news headline, event date, and event summary provided by the user. No specific links to official sources were included in the input, so further verification will be necessary. Businesses can consult official announcements, information from trade authorities, and reports from authoritative media, and monitor policy details, trade implementation, and industry feedback.