From 1 November 2026, selling into the EU gets more expensive and more data-intensive. A new €2 handling fee applies to every item, whatever the order value, and customs declarations must now include product identifiers. Here is what changes and how to prepare.
NEW €2 EU HANDLING FEE
A new handling fee of €2 per item will apply to all e-commerce distance sales imported into the EU, and is expected to start on 1 November. Here are the key facts:
- Per item, not per parcel: Like the €3 duty, the fee is charged per distinct HS code. A parcel to France with two t-shirts and a pair of shoes (two HS codes) will incur a handling fee of 2 × €2 = €4.00.
- Regardless of value: Unlike the €3 duty, the fee also applies to orders above €150. For low-value shipment parcels, the fee comes on top of the €3 duty that has applied since July.
- VAT applies to the fee in most cases (reversing an earlier version fo the Commission's VAT note). Without IOSS, import VAT is always charged on the fee at clearance. With IOSS (up to €150), VAT applies if the the customs handling charge is collected at the checkout.
- Paid at import: As with the duty, carriers or brokers pay the fee at clearance and invoice the merchant.
- Not refundable: The handling fee is not refunded if goods are returned.
It is still unclear how the EU-wide fee will interact with existing national handling fees some member states introduced this year.
- 🇫🇷 France suspended its €2 fee in July until further notice.
- 🇮🇹 Italy has postponed its €2 fee to 1 December to avoid overlapping with the EU fee.
- 🇷🇴 Romania's fee of around €5 per parcel remains in place for now, and it is not yet known whether it will be withdrawn.
PRODUCT IDENTIFIERS BECOME MANDATORY
From 1 November, customs declarations for B2C e-commerce imports must include product identifiers (PIDs) on all non-EU manufactured goods. Reporting them has been voluntary since July.
- Merchant Product Identifier (mandatory): your SKU or listing ID.
- Manufacturer Product Identifier (mandatory): the manufacturer's or supplier's product code.
- Standardised identifier (where available): GTIN, EAN, UPC or ISBN.
Missing or incorrect PIDs can lead to delays, extra charges or refused entry. B2B shipments to VAT-registered businesses are exempt.
WHAT SHOULD MERCHANTS DO NOW?
- Review pricing: factor in additional €2 of import costs per product for all EU markets
- Complete product identifiers: make sure every product in your EU catalogue has a merchant and a manufacturer identifier, plus a GTIN/EAN where one exists.
- Check carrier data feeds: in case you don't ship through Glopal, confirm with your carriers how PIDs must be passed through.
HOW GLOPAL CAN HELP MERCHANTS
- Landed cost at checkout: our T&D engine includes the €2 handling fee alongside duty and VAT, so buyers see a transparent DDP price.
- Product identifiers: if you use Glopal's shipping solution, we pass your PIDs through to carriers and onto shipping documents.
November 1 is weeks away. Contact us to make sure your EU setup is ready.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
European Commission – Delegated Regulation setting the €2 Union handling fee
European Commission – VAT treatment of the €3 customs duty and the Union handling fee (earlier position, superseded)
European Commission – Customs guidance on the €3 customs duty and product identifiers