COMMISSION SETS UNION HANDLING FEE AT EUR 2 PER ITEM
On 21 September, the European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2108 establishing the Union Customs Code, which sets the amount of the Union handling fee at EUR 2 per item. The fee applies to goods sold in distance sales to customers in the customs territory of the Union and is payable by the entity responsible for the other customs charges on the item. It is separate from the EUR 3 temporary customs duty introduced in July 2026.
The amount is to correspond to the approximate costs of the services rendered by customs authorities for the release for free circulation of such goods, in particular data verification, risk analysis, controls and relevant infrastructure, including services rendered by the EU Customs Authority. In establishing it, the Commission assessed the costs incurred by Member States' customs authorities and by the Commission, together with the evolution in the volume of items with a value not exceeding EUR 150 released for free circulation, as the best proxy for distance sales. The Commission will review the fee level on the basis of a cost report drawn up every two years
The Delegated Regulation is now subject to scrutiny by the European Parliament and the Council and may only enter into force if neither institution raises an objection. Subject to the outcome of the scrutiny procedure, the Regulation will enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and apply from the tenth day thereafter.