Italy abandons national tax on small packages as EU implements new fees
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The Italian government canceled a planned national tax on small packages from non-EU countries to align with European Union regulations.
This move removes a domestic levy on shipments valued under 150 euros that was intended to start in 2026 but never took effect. By dropping this national measure, Italy waives an estimated 91.3 million euros in annual revenue to ensure coordination with broader EU customs reforms.
The European Commission implemented a new 2 euro management fee today on small online parcels, particularly those arriving from large Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu. This new fee works alongside a 3 euro flat duty introduced in July for packages under 150 euros. European officials say the fee covers the costs of managing and inspecting the massive volume of shipments that the e-commerce boom has placed on customs offices across the 27 member states.
The European Union aims to curb the influx of low-cost products from China and encourage foreign sellers to use European warehouses. These warehouses allow for easier product verification. In 2023, China provided 20.5 percent of the EU's total imports, and nearly 5.9 billion parcels entered the union in 2025. This volume, which reached over 180 parcels per second, made systematic checks difficult and allowed potentially dangerous or counterfeit goods to enter the market.
The 2 euro fee will remain permanent and will update every two years based on customs inspection costs. Starting in July 2028, the EU plans to introduce reduced rates for goods moving through specialized warehouses. At that same time, the 3 euro flat fee will be abolished, and small packages will face standard European customs duties.
