Online shoppers in Barcelona and across the European Union now face a new customs charge on many small imported parcels. The European Commission announced on 29 June that a flat €3 duty will apply to low-value packages sent directly from outside the EU, a temporary measure that will stay in force until 1 July 2028.

In practice, that means many orders under €150 from non-EU sellers could cost more at checkout or on delivery, depending on how the platform handles customs charges.

The measure targets the customs duty exemption, the rule that previously meant no import tax was charged on packages worth under €150. Under guidance published on 8 June by the Commission's Taxation and Customs Union department, the EU body responsible for customs and tax rules, the new flat rate will apply to direct-to-consumer parcels entering the bloc from outside the EU.

For shoppers, the amount depends on how goods are shipped. Parcels dispatched straight from a non-EU country will carry a €3 charge. Parcels first sent in bulk to a warehouse inside the EU and then delivered to customers will face a lower €0.50 fee.

  • €3 for each parcel shipped directly from outside the EU to the buyer
  • €0.50 for each parcel handled through an EU-based warehouse
  • The temporary system applies until Tuesday 1 July 2028
  • The rule covers low-value imports, meaning packages worth less than €150

That distinction matters for buyers using large discount marketplaces popular in Spain and Catalonia, including Shein, Temu and AliExpress. Shipping arrangements vary by seller and by item, but products sent directly from China or another non-EU country are the ones most likely to attract the €3 fee, while goods already stocked in an EU warehouse would fall under the lower €0.50 rate.

On most shopping platforms, the dispatch location appears on the product page, in the seller profile or in delivery information before payment. If the listing shows a non-EU country such as China, shoppers should assume the higher charge is likely to apply.

The Commission says the fee is meant to help customs checks

According to the European Commission's press release, the new duty is designed to respond to the rapid growth in low-value e-commerce imports and to reduce pressure on customs authorities processing huge volumes of small packages. The Commission says the current system leaves EU retailers at a disadvantage and makes it harder to check whether imported goods meet safety and compliance rules.

The temporary flat fee will increase fairness for EU businesses and improve safety for consumers by helping customs authorities better supervise the growing number of low-value parcels entering the Union.

The Commission also said in its news announcement that the fee forms part of a wider customs reform plan. The broader package is intended to change how online imports are processed inside the single market, the EU's system that allows goods to move under one common set of rules between member states.

In Barcelona, where cross-border online shopping is routine for clothes, accessories and household goods, the immediate effect is simple: repeat buyers of low-cost imports may see several extra euros added over the course of a year. Consumer advocates have argued that such charges can fall hardest on people who rely on the cheapest online goods for everyday purchases.

What local shoppers should check before ordering

For residents ordering from overseas marketplaces, the key question is where the parcel starts its journey. If a seller ships directly from outside the EU, the new €3 duty is likely to apply. If the item is already stored in an EU fulfilment centre, the lower €0.50 charge should apply instead.

The Commission's customs guidance states that the temporary flat fee will remain in place until 1 July 2028, unless wider customs reform changes the system earlier. For now, shoppers comparing prices on low-cost imports should check the dispatch country before placing an order.

Primary sources: ec.europa.eu, commission.europa.eu, taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu. Reported by Source Text Link, Timothy Jones Writer, translator and editor with DW's online news team., EU Reporter Correspondent, Joana Soares, The European Sting.