What the end of de minimis in the EU and UK means for cross-border ecommerce

If you’ve been selling internationally, you’ve almost certainly heard about the removal of de minimis import exemptions in major global markets. Following the US eliminating its de minimis threshold in 2025, the EU and UK are now moving in the same direction, fundamentally changing the way low-value parcels are treated at the border.

Here’s what you need to know about the end of de minimis in the EU and UK, and how we can support your business through this change by leveraging our EU fulfilment centre in Bocholt, Germany, alongside our tax and duty solution partner Taxually.

In this article

• What’s changing?

• Why this matters for your brand

• How IFGlobal can support you through these changes

• Looking ahead  

What’s changing?

EU de minimis

For years, goods imported into the EU with a value of €150 or less were exempt from customs duty, even though VAT still applied. Known as the ‘de minimis exemption’, this reduced friction for cross-border ecommerce and helped keep costs down for merchants and consumers alike. But that’s now coming to an end.

On 1st July 2026, the EU will introduce a fixed customs duty of €3 per low-value ecommerce item, ending the duty-free treatment for parcels under €150 coming from outside the EU. This change marks the first phase of a broader customs reform effort designed to modernise import procedures, level the playing field for EU businesses, and improve safety and compliance oversight.

• No more exemption from duty for parcels under €150 entering the EU, even when the value is below the old de minimis threshold.

• A flat €3 customs duty applies per item based on tariff classification. Multiple items or categories in one shipment could trigger multiple duty charges.

• This €3 duty is a temporary transitional measure, with further customs reforms planned as EU systems evolve through 2028 and beyond.  

Even businesses using VAT simplification schemes like IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) will encounter these charges as the duty is separate from VAT, making comprehensive customs planning more important than ever.

National fees are already here

Parts of Europe have already moved ahead of the wider EU timeline. As of 1st January 2026, countries including Italy and Romania have introduced their own national handling or processing fees on low-value imports. France is expected to follow imminently, well ahead of the full removal of the €150 relief.

This is a clear signal of where the market is heading and exactly why EU inventory repositioning is accelerating now. For brands selling into Europe, this is no longer theoretical. It’s a margin and customer experience conversation happening today.

UK de minimis  

Post-Brexit, the UK has its own de minimis regime: parcels under £135 currently benefit from a customs duty exemption. However, recent government guidance has confirmed that this exemption will be eliminated by March 2029. This means that, in time, the UK will join the global trend toward treating all imports as formal customs entries, regardless of value.

“We’re already seeing the impact of these changes on the ground. With national handling fees live in parts of Europe and the full removal of de minimis coming into view, the brands that will win in Europe are the ones acting early by repositioning inventory and building shipping models that can absorb regulatory change without disrupting the customer journey.” – Antony Day, Global Shipping and Logistics Manager, IFGlobal.

Why this matters for your brand

The end of de minimis fundamentally alters the economics of cross-border ecommerce.

• Higher landed costs: Even low-value orders will incur customs duty in the EU and, eventually the UK, in addition to VAT.  

• Customer experience at risk: Unexpected duties or delays at delivery can lead to increased cart abandonment, returns, or customer complaints.

• Compliance complexity: Accurate tariff classifications, customs documentation, and duty calculation will matter for every shipment, not just high-value ones.

These changes put pressure on merchants to reassess their cross-border fulfilment strategies. Many brands will benefit from moving closer to their EU customers, both to reduce duties and speed delivery.

How IFGlobal can support you through these changes

We’re already helping clients navigate this new regulatory landscape with practical, operational solutions, combining EU-based fulfilment, customs expertise, and trusted tax and duty solution partners.

Ship from within the EU

Fulfilling orders from our Bocholt, Germany fulfilment centre means EU-bound orders ship from within the EU rather than crossing the border, eliminating the need for customs clearance on a per-order basis. This avoids the new €3 duty and streamlines delivery, improving customer satisfaction.

Simplified compliance

We manage customs documentation and product classification while working closely with specialist tax and duty solution partners to model the right approach for your business. That means fewer surprises, fewer errors, and a smoother experience for both you and your customers.

Faster delivery and lower costs

Domestic EU shipments from Bocholt are typically faster and more cost-effective than sending parcels across borders from non-EU countries. This supports better delivery SLAs and improved customer satisfaction.

Strategic guidance

Our cross-border experts stay on top of evolving EU and UK customs reforms so you don’t have to. We’ll help you evaluate your fulfilment strategy, landed cost models, and pricing to absorb or manage new duties efficiently.

Looking ahead

The end of de minimis in the EU and the upcoming changes in the UK are part of a broader shift in global trade policy that reflects the realities of modern ecommerce. Sellers that prepare now will be ready to compete effectively and keep customer experience at the forefront.

We’re here to help you every step of the way. From customs compliance and duty modelling to EU-based fulfilment with our Bocholt facility, we provide the operational backbone fast-moving brands need to thrive in this new era of international commerce.