Ordering a few items of clothing, accessories, or home decor from a foreign website could now cost more. As of November 1, 2026, the European Union has implemented new processing fees on packages originating from countries outside the EU. The fee is set at €2 per product category, regardless of the order’s value. And contrary to what one might think, these fees are not necessarily limited to €2 per package.
For example, if an order contains two toys, a coat, and two bottles of perfume, it includes three different categories of goods. The new fees therefore total €6, even if all the items arrive in a single box. Conversely, multiple products belonging to the same category may trigger these fees only once.
Up to €5 per product category for packages valued at less than €150
This new measure comes on top of another rule that took effect on July 1. Since then, packages valued at €150 or less have already been subject to a flat-rate customs duty of €3 per product category.
For such orders, the total now amounts to €5 per category, even before factoring in VAT or any shipping charges. An order containing three different categories can thus incur €15 in European duties and fees.
And even if the total exceeds €150, you cannot avoid the new €2 processing fee. Above this amount, standard customs duties may also apply.
Will consumers have to pay these new fees directly?
The €2 will not automatically be charged to the recipient upon delivery. E-commerce platforms, retailers, or, in some cases, carriers are responsible for paying these fees. However, they may choose to pass them on to customers through the prices displayed.
The measure applies to goods shipped directly from a country outside the European customs territory. Therefore, it is not simply the country of origin of the online retailer that matters, but also the origin of the shipment.
French authorities are also warning the public about scams related to this issue. Customs officials do not contact individuals directly to request payment of these new processing fees. Therefore, any text message claiming to be from customs and requesting payment should be treated with caution.