Czech Online Retail Welcomes EU Customs Fee on Low-Value Parcels

Billions of low-priced online consignments from third countries are increasingly putting pressure on European retailers. A new decision by the EU Council is intended to counter this trend – and is also meeting with broad approval in the Czech Republic.

The Council of the European Union has agreed on the introduction of a flat-rate customs fee of three euros for consignments with a value of up to 150 euros. The measure is due to take effect from 1 July 2026 and primarily affects parcels from online retailers imported into the EU from third countries. Representatives of the European – and especially the Czech – e-commerce sector view the decision as a step in the right direction, but consider it insufficient.

According to a recent statement by the EU Council, the fixed fee is intended as a transitional solution to mitigate existing distortions of competition more quickly. A comprehensive reform of customs rules is currently planned only for 2028. In the view of industry representatives, this would come too late for many European retailers.

“The introduction of a flat-rate fee of three euros is a sensible step that helps European entrepreneurs compete with unfair cross-border competition,” said Jan Vetyška, Executive Director of the Czech E-commerce Association APEK. However, he is critical of the late start date: an entry into force from January 2026 had originally been discussed. APEK also continues to call for the complete abolition of the customs duty exemption for consignments of up to 150 euros – a point on which the EU Council had already reached agreement in principle last November. “The fee is a quick, but still insufficient solution,” Vetyška said.

According to EU figures, around 4.6 billion low-value consignments with a goods value of under 150 euros entered the European Union in 2024 alone, the majority of them from China. A further significant increase is expected in the current year. Many of these goods are sold via large online marketplaces which, under the Digital Services Act (DSA), bear only limited responsibility for the products offered. In practice, European supervisory authorities have very limited means of taking action against the actual suppliers based in third countries.

Industry representatives say the result is a growing range of products that do not meet safety standards, for which neither customs duties nor VAT are correctly paid, and where environmental charges are circumvented. In addition, counterfeit products repeatedly appear on the market.

“The European market must be protected in such a way that the same rules apply to everyone,” Vetyška emphasised. The aim is not to prevent competition, but to ensure fair conditions. “While domestic retailers have to comply with numerous legal requirements, suppliers from third countries often operate with virtually no obligations.” Consumers should also be aware that extremely cheap products are often associated with risks – even if they appear visually comparable to European goods.

With the customs fee now agreed, the EU Council is responding for the first time in the short term to the tense situation. Industry representatives see this as a positive signal, but expect further measures to ensure a level playing field in the European single market over the long term.