A new EUR 2 handling fee on goods ordered directly from outside the European Union came into force on 1 November, adding further pressure on shoppers using Chinese online platforms such as Shein and Temu.
EU introduces new fee affecting Shein and Temu orders
Combined with an existing EUR 3 customs charge, some low-value orders could now face additional costs of up to EUR 5 per product category. Consumers ordering inexpensive goods from outside the EU will have to navigate another change to the bloc’s customs rules.
This is due to the Union introducing a new handling fee aimed at covering the growing cost of processing and inspecting imported e-commerce shipments. The EUR 2 Union Handling Fee (UHF) applies to individual product categories rather than every parcel, meaning the final charge will depend on the contents of an order.
Not every parcel will cost EUR 5 more
The new measure follows the introduction of a temporary EUR 3 flat-rate customs duty on 1 July, which applies to consignments valued at EUR 150 or less. The distinction between the two charges is important. While the EUR 3 duty is limited to lower-value shipments, the new EUR 2 handling fee applies regardless of the value of goods sold and shipped directly to consumers from outside the EU.
For example, three identical T-shirts ordered from Shein or Temu may be classified as a single product category, resulting in a combined EUR 5 charge under the two measures. However, if a parcel contains three different product categories, the additional costs could reach EUR 15, writes HVG.
The charges will primarily be collected from platforms, sellers or, in certain circumstances, transport operators. Nevertheless, companies may pass some or all of the costs on to customers through higher prices or separate fees.
Make things easier with professional support in English. Explore Daily News Hungary’s Services in English and find the help you need.
Brussels targets the growing e-commerce market
The European Commission says the growing number of low-value online shipments has placed increasing pressure on customs authorities, which must process, assess and inspect millions of parcels. The new fee is intended to help finance these operations while encouraging online marketplaces to take greater responsibility for the goods they sell.
The changes could particularly affect platforms such as Shein and Temu, whose business models have relied heavily on shipping inexpensive products directly from China to European consumers. According to figures cited in recent reports, approximately 5.8 billion low-value parcels entered the EU in 2025, representing a 26 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
The European Commission reportedly estimates that the new charges could generate nearly EUR 6 billion annually for the EU budget between 2028 and 2034.
