EU to add €2 fee per item on non-EU online orders from 1 November — AliExpress, Temu and Shein affected

The European Union will introduce a new Union Handling Fee of €2 per distinct item on goods bought online from non-EU countries, starting 1 November 2026. The fee will apply to all e-commerce parcels shipped to EU buyers, no matter how small the order value is.

The new fee comes on top of the €3 customs duty per item that has applied since 1 July 2026. Ireland’s Revenue authority confirmed the change on 29 September. The fee is paid by the seller or delivery business, but they are allowed to pass the cost on to shoppers — at checkout or on delivery. It is not refundable, even if the goods are faulty or returned.

The fee mainly affects platforms such as AliExpress, Temu and Shein. EU officials say it will cover the rising cost of checking billions of low-value parcels. France reported that small-parcel imports fell by about 40 percent after the July customs charges began.