EU Customs Changes from 1 July 2026
Overview
From 1 July 2026, the European Union (EU) will remove the current EUR150 de minimis threshold for imported goods. As a result, low-value shipments entering EU member countries may be subject to additional customs charges.
What's Changing?
A flat-rate EUR3 customs duty will apply to eligible low-value items entering the EU.
The EUR3 duty is charged per item, not per parcel.
VAT (Value Added Tax) will continue to apply and is charged separately from the customs duty.
"Gift" can no longer be used as an export reason for business shipments sent to EU destinations.
These changes are intended to standardise the collection of duties and taxes across all EU member states.
Duties, Taxes and Fees (Landed Costs)
When creating a shipment, you may need to specify who will pay any applicable duties, taxes and fees (also known as landed costs).
Available options include:
Receiver Pays – charges are collected from the recipient on delivery.
Sender Pays (Zonos® Verified Account) – charges are calculated and paid upfront by the sender.
Sender Pays (Tax ID) – charges are managed through the sender's own tax registration arrangements.
For some destinations, the payment method may be mandated and automatically selected.
Additional Customs Information Required
To comply with the new regulations, shipment declarations may require:
More detailed product information, including:
Item classification (HS code)
Country of origin
A valid export reason (business shipments can no longer use "gift")
Accurate item-level declarations, as duties may be calculated per individual item.
Platform Updates
Australia Post is introducing updates to support these changes, including:
Estimated duties and taxes displayed before lodgement
Clear selection of who will pay landed costs
Support for Importer Tax IDs where required
Recommended Actions
To prepare for these changes, we recommend that you:
Review how duties, taxes and fees are managed for your international shipments.
Decide whether the sender or receiver will be responsible for landed costs.
Determine whether you require a Tax ID or a Zonos® Verified Account for your shipments.
Other Countries
The sender-versus-receiver payment process also applies to shipments sent to:
United States
Canada
Norway
United Kingdom
For more information, visit these links: