The Hague, 30 June 2026 – From 1 July 2026, new European rules will apply to e-commerce shipments from outside the European Union with a value of up to €150. The current exemption from import duties ends. Instead, a fixed European import duty of €3 per product category (customs declaration line) will apply to these shipments. Depending on the shipment, VAT and handling fees may also apply.
For 1 July 2026, consumers ordering goods from outside the EU may encounter one of the following three situations:
- Order shipped from a European warehouse (fulfilment): An increasing number of international webshops send orders from distribution centres within the European Union. As the parcel is shipped from within the EU, the new import duties do not apply.
- Import duties paid in advance via the webshop: Some webshops outside the EU calculate the import duties during check-out. Consumers pay these charges when placing their order, and no further action is required.
- Import duties paid afterwards via the delivery company: If a webshop does not collect the import duties in advance, these will be collected by the delivery company before the parcel is delivered. The consumer will receive a digital payment request from the delivery company.
These new arrangements result from European legislation. If a webshop does not collect the import duties in advance, consumers will receive a digital payment request from PostNL. PostNL collects the import duties on behalf of the Customs Administration of The Netherlands and transfers the full amount to the Dutch Customs. Consumers will receive an email or letter directing them to their personal track & trace page, either online or in the PostNL app. By entering the barcode and postcode, they can view and pay the invoice. Once payment has been received, the parcel will be delivered. Our deliverer will never ask for payment at the door. More information about paying customs clearance charges is available on the PostNL consumer information website.
"This European measure introduces a single, harmonised process for e-commerce shipments from outside the European Union. The Netherlands plays an important role as a gateway for e-commerce into Europe. That is why we believe it is important for consumers to understand when import duties apply, when they do not, and how the payment process works. Consumers who have recently ordered a parcel that may be affected by these changes have received an email with further information," says Tijs Reumerman, Managing Director Platforms at PostNL.
More information about the new rules, conditions and exemptions is available on the website of the Customs Administration of The Netherlands.