13/02/2026
The EU has agreed a fixed €3 customs duty on small parcels under €150 entering the EU from 1 July 2026 forgoing the "De Minimis" exemption. It’s designed as a temporary measure, staying in place until the EU’s wider customs reform and data hub are operational (currently expected around 2028).
In the UK, HM Treasury has opened a consultation to reform low value imports. Today, goods £135 or less can claim a customs duty relief (VAT still applies). The UK has announced an intention to remove that relief from March 2029 at the latest, with consultation underway on how the new system should work (data, tariff application, and whether an admin fee should apply).
Why are these changes happening (and who feels it most)?
EU ministers point to the scale of low-value parcels and the knock-on effects: unfair competition for EU sellers, consumer safety concerns, fraud/undervaluation, and environmental impact.
For brands and shoppers, the practical impact is higher landed costs on imported small parcels and more friction at the border, which can mean delays and a noisier customer experience.
How we can help (Ireland + UK selling):
If you’re selling into the EU and/or UK, one of the cleanest ways to reduce border surprises is shipping domestically from stock held in-market. With Autofulfil, UK brands can hold inventory in Ireland (EU) and dispatch locally helping avoid the “every order is an import event” model and keeping delivery timelines steadier. For UK orders, we can fulfil orders with our partner warehouse to keep the customer experience smooth on that side too.
If you sell cross-border, are you planning to localise fulfilment before these changes land? Message us for a quick sanity-check on options or fill out the form on our website to get into the details.
https://www.autofulfil.com/about/contact-us/
