EU parcel tax cuts cheap parcel declarations 65% in Belgium as 364.4 million euros is collected

How the EU parcel tax works

The EU introduced a temporary parcel tax of 3 euros per item from 1 July 2026. It applies to parcels worth less than 150 euros that come from outside the EU. From 1 November 2026, a fixed European handling fee of 2 euros per item is added on top. Customs figures show the tax has raised 364.4 million euros up to and including 27 September, around 28 million euros a week, and Belgium is entitled to keep a quarter of that sum. The volume behind the tax is large: in 2025, 1.3 billion such parcels reached Belgium through Liège Airport, and nearly 5.9 billion small parcels entered the EU, 93% of them from China.

Fewer declarations in Belgium

Belgian customs recorded 65% fewer declarations of cheap parcels from countries such as China in July, August and September 2026 than in the same months a year earlier, and attribute the drop to the tax alone. September alone saw just over 29 million such parcels declared, 82% fewer than the 166 million counted in June. The average value of these cheap goods shipped to Belgium has almost doubled, from 6 to 12 euros, as foreign sellers pass the tax into the prices consumers pay. Customs also reported 17,630 infringements found during checks of such parcels so far in 2026, and one in three involved products that do not meet Belgian public health rules. Kristian Vanderwaeren of Belgian customs warned of more fraud attempts: some traders declare parcel values above 150 euros to pay less tax, while others declare fewer items than a parcel contains so the tax is paid only once. Customs officers say they are working to detect these practices.

2026-06166

2026-0929

2026-06

166 million parcels

2026-09

29 million parcels

Data from the article text

A handling fee from 1 November

From 1 November 2026 the 2 euro handling fee applies on top of the 3 euro tax, so each product category in a parcel carries 5 euros in fees. In one worked example, two identical trousers from China worth 40 euros attract the 3 euro tax, and a 2 euro handling fee is added from 1 November, for 5 euros in total. The business organisation Unizo welcomes the fees because they prevent unfair competition from foreign online shops. Its CEO, Bart Buysse, said:

“This is a victory for us, but above all for our businesses and the economy, as the measures are clearly delivering results.”

Buysse wants the revenue reinvested in additional customs officers, better technology and stricter checks. He also called for loopholes to be closed.

France reports sharp drops in platform sales

In France, the government said at a press conference at Bercy in Paris on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, that VAT amounts declared on small parcels fell 48% between June and August, according to David Amiel, Minister of Public Action and Public Accounts. His office said the fall was visible in both volumes and value. Trade minister Serge Papin cited July declines in visits of 42% for Shein, 36% for Temu and 10% for AliExpress, and a fall in sales value of roughly 25% in September. Amiel acknowledged that more work remains, saying:

“We still have work to do, because operators are adapting their logistics and investigations take time.”

Papin welcomed the figures, saying:

“These figures send strong messages that our action is having effects.”

Shein-42%

Temu-36%

AliExpress-10%

Shein

-42 %

Temu

-36 %

AliExpress

-10 %

Data from the article text