Abolition of the EU’s coutom duty exemption for shipments valued at €150 or less, and the imposition of the Union Handling Fee (UHF)
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union ended the customs duty exemption for goods imported into the EU with a total product value of €150 or less, effective July 1, 2026. The Union Handling Fee (UHF) took effect on November 1, 2026.
Customs duty and UHF for online retail shipments
| Total value of goods in the parcel | Customs duty | Union Handling Fee (UHF) |
|---|---|---|
| €45 or less | €3 per item | €2 per item |
| Over €45 and up to €150 | €3 per item | €2 per item |
| Over €150 | Standard EU customs duty rates | €2 per item |
Online retail shipments (B2C) are shipments sent by the seller, whether the seller is an individual or a company.
Affected countries and territories
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Monaco, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Réunion, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
How customs duty and the UHF are calculated
Japan Post states that charges are calculated per individual item, even when multiple items in the same parcel share the same customs classification (HS code).
For example, if a parcel contains two bottles of the same shampoo and the total product value is €150 or less, the charges are calculated as follows.
| Charge | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | 2 bottles × €3 | €6 |
| Union Handling Fee (UHF) | 2 bottles × €2 | €4 |
| Total customs duty and UHF | €10 |
For parcels with a total product value over €150, customs duty is calculated using standard EU rates, and the UHF is calculated at €2 per item.
We do not collect customs duties, UHF and VAT in advance.
Therefore, please note that you may be required to pay the above-mentioned fees when you receive your package.