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.
- No VAT on the fee: The handling fee is not a customs duty and falls outside the scope of VAT, with or without IOSS.
- 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- 🇷🇴 Romania's fee of around €5 per parcel remains in place for now, and it is not yet known whether it will be withdrawn.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). 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
European Commission – Customs guidance on the €3 customs duty and product identifiers