Buying on a platform: Have you been asked to pay extra fees to receive a parcel shipped from outside the European Union?
Since 1 July 2026, all goods imported into the European Union are subject to a new 3-euro customs duty, including parcels valued below 150 euros.
You may refuse to pay 3 euros
Under the new rules, consumers should not be expected to bear these customs costs. If the platform didn’t disclose additional charges clearly before the purchase, consumers do not have to pay them. Even if the platform did properly inform consumers about these charges before purchasing, they still retain their right of withdrawal. They may claim a refund in accordance with the applicable rules.
Call for testimonials
To understand how platforms implement these new rules in practice, the European Consumer Centre, together, with the European Consumer Organisation BEUC launched a call for consumer testimonials. We are looking for consumers who have recently purchased products from online platforms shipping goods from outside the European Union. For exemple : Temu, Shein, AliExpress, Amazon, TikTok Shop and others.
We would like to know:
- Whether you were asked to pay any additional fees on top of any delivery charges.
- When these fees were requested (during checkout, after purchase or upon delivery).
- What type of fees you were asked to pay.
- Who requested the payment (the platform, the delivery company, etc.).
- Whether you were clearly informed about these charges before placing your order.
Your feedback will help us assess how the new customs rules are being applied across Europe. Furthermore, we will be able to identify any practices that may undermine consumer rights. We will analyse the results of this survey and share them with the European Commission as well as Members of the European Parliament.
Have you recently ordered a product shipped from outside the European Union?
Watch out for scammers!
Attempts at delivery fraud are not uncommon. You may have already received a text message from a so-called delivery driver, asking you to pay additional charges to collect your parcel.
If you receive such a payment request (via text message, email, instant messaging, etc.), always check where it’s coming from! Take a close look at the sender’s email address or phone number. Can you be absolutely certain that this is an official contact? If you have the slightest doubt, ignore the message and contact the platform where you place your order instead.
What VAT rate applies to your purchases outside the EU?
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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