EU Parcel Handling Fee: What Changes? (World Briefing 10/27)

From 1 November, a €2 handling fee applies to non-EU direct sales to EU consumers for every customs item, not every parcel, charged on the seller’s side (the customs declarant). Mix goods with different classifications or origins in one box and the fee is charged several times. The same week, India said its US trade deal is in the fine-tuning stage, and China published draft export controls on AI and solar technologies.

Key points

• EU handling fee: under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2152, a €2 fee per customs item applies to non-EU distance-sale imports from 1 November, including consignments above €150. It is not refunded if goods are returned.
• India-US: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on 26 October that most discussions are concluded and the agreement is being fine-tuned.
• China export controls: on 16 October MOFCOM and MOST proposed adding 40 AI, biopharma and photovoltaic technologies to the export catalogue (14 prohibited, 26 restricted). Comments close on 15 November.
• Canada tariffs: changes to the US 50% Section 338 duty list on Canadian goods apply from 30 October. See the 10/26 briefing.

Main stories

Who pays the EU €2 handling fee, and how much?

The person responsible for the customs debt pays €2 per distinct customs item. Identical goods with the same classification and origin can count as one item, but a parcel mixing classifications or origins triggers one fee per item. The fee also applies above €150 and is not refunded on returns.

It sits on top of the €3 per-item customs duty that has applied to consignments of €150 or less since July. In vatcalc’s example, a €30 parcel with three different customs items carries €9 duty plus €6 in handling fees, €15 before VAT.

Source: vatcalc, EU €2 per customs item handling fee

How close is the India-US trade deal?

According to India, most of it is settled and the text is being fine-tuned. Goyal said so at the India-Netherlands Business Forum in The Hague on 26 October, after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said only a small number of items remained.

Provisional commerce ministry data show India’s September merchandise exports rose 23% year on year to $44.4 billion. Exports to the US were $87.31 billion in FY26. A deal would give Indian exporters more predictable pricing on US-bound shipments.

Source: Mint

What does China’s draft technology export control cover?

It would prohibit 14 and license 26 technologies across AI, biopharma and photovoltaics. Proposed solar prohibitions include certain polysilicon processes, wafers of 70 microns or less, and perovskite and tandem-cell module technologies; TOPCon, XBC and HJT cell manufacturing would need licences. Key equipment embodying covered technology is also in scope.

Even before the catalogue is final, exporters must register these technologies before export from 16 October, including deals already under way. MOFCOM says open-source technology and AI services delivered via API or SaaS generally fall outside the controls.

Source: White & Case

What it means for importers and exporters

• Selling into the EU: before 1 November, confirm the HS code and origin of each product and count how many customs items a typical parcel creates (HS code guide). Check whether your marketplace passes the fee on to sellers.
• Origin data: origin now affects how many fees you pay, so get it right (certificate of origin guide).
• Chinese equipment and know-how: if you buy solar production equipment or process support from China, ask the supplier whether it has completed export registration.
• US tariffs: watch the 30 October Canada list and the final India-US text if you source from those countries.

Check now: product classification and origin for EU shipments, marketplace fee policies, and registration status of Chinese technology suppliers.

The next day’s update continues in the 10/28 briefing on tanker freight rates.

FAQ

Is the €2 fee charged once per parcel?

No. It is charged per customs item. Identical goods with the same classification and origin can count as one item, but mixed goods mean several fees.

Does it apply to shipments above €150?

Yes. According to vatcalc, it covers distance-sale imports above €150 too, unlike the €3 duty that applies only up to €150.

Can companies comment on China’s draft controls?

MOFCOM is taking comments until 15 November. The interim registration requirement already applies.

Press coverage and sources

• https://www.vatcalc.com/eu/eu-mulls-customs-admin-tax-on-non-eu-sellers/ (vatcalc, EU €2 handling fee confirmed)
• https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-us-fine-tuning-trade-deal-after-concluding-most-discussions-says-minister-piyush-goyal-11793025706251.html (Mint, India-US deal fine-tuning)
• https://www.whitecase.com/insight-alert/china-proposes-new-export-controls-artificial-intelligence-biopharma-and-photovoltaic (White & Case, China draft export controls)
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/10/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-further-modifies-canadian-products-subject-to-tariffs-under-section-338/ (White House, Canada Section 338 changes)