Since 1 November 2026 the European Union charges a €2 handling fee on online purchases arriving from outside the EU. It is no longer a plan: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2152, which sets the amount, was published in the Official Journal on 22 October 2026 and has applied since that date. It is a measure separate from the temporary €3 customs duty. We explain what it is, how it is calculated and what we know and don't know for now.
In short
- What it is: the "Union handling fee": €2 per item category on distance purchases entering the EU.
- Since when: it applies from 1 November 2026. The regulation entered into force on 22 October 2026, the day of its publication.
- How it adds to the €3 duty: they are two separate measures. The €3 duty per item category applies from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2028 on shipments of up to €150.
- Who is responsible: platforms and sellers outside the EU are responsible for the customs formalities. The regulation does not detail how it is passed on to the buyer.
- How it is calculated: per item category within each shipment. According to legal analyses, these are the same goods with the same tariff classification, description and origin.
What the €2 handling fee is
The new Union Customs Code (Regulation 2026/2108 and the EU Customs Data Hub 2028) provides that distance purchases pay a fixed amount for handling their release for free circulation. The amount is set by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2152: €2 per item category. According to the European Commission, since 1 November 2026 the EU applies this fee to online purchases coming from outside, and non-EU platforms and sellers are the ones responsible for the customs formalities and duties on what they sell to the EU.
It is not a customs duty: it pays for the handling procedure. That is why it is independent of the €3 duty. According to published legal analyses, it is also not refundable if you return the purchase afterwards.
How it differs from the €3 duty
| Item | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary customs duty | €3 per item category (shipments of up to €150) | 1 Jul 2026 to 1 Jul 2028 |
| Union handling fee | €2 per item category | From 1 Nov 2026 |
Sources: Delegated Regulation 2026/2152 (Official Journal of the EU) and the Commission's official guidance. More on the €3 duty in our guide to the new €3 duty.
What changes if you shop online outside the EU
- One more cost. The fee applies to distance purchases entering the EU from outside, regardless of the €3 duty. The regulation does not detail how it is passed on to the buyer.
- Platforms become the responsible parties. Under the new Code, the seller outside the EU or the platform is the "importer in distance sales".
- A future reduction. The Commission plans a reduced fee from 2028 for those who operate a customs warehouse. The amount has not been set yet.
What it means for MDE customers
The regulation does not detail how the fee applies to purchases that go through a forwarding address or how it is passed on to the buyer, and we have not found a specific note from the Spanish authorities. That is why we do not give figures for specific cases: it will depend on the implementing rules and the Commission's guidance.
What we do for you
These are the MDE tools for shopping outside the EU:
- Addresses in 10 countries: shop at stores outside the EU with a local address.
- Buy for me: if a store does not ship to your country or does not accept your card, we make the purchase for you.
- Consolidation: combining your purchases into a single shipment cuts the cost of international shipping by up to 70%.
- Correct declaration: with the self-managed proforma you declare the real value and description of each product.
- Tracking: our smart AI tracking shows you every step of the shipment.
More context in our guides on how to keep buying on Shein and AliExpress with the 2026 tariffs and how to handle the new global tariffs.
Shop outside the EU with your address in Europe
Addresses in 10 countries, Buy for me, consolidation and tracking. Memberships from €1.64/month with a 14-day trial and money-back guarantee.
Frequently asked questions about the EU €2 fee
Since when does the €2 fee apply at EU customs?
It applies from 1 November 2026. Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2152 was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 22 October 2026, entered into force that same day and sets the amount at €2.
Is the fee per package or per item?
The text of the regulation speaks of €2 per item category, not per package or per unit. According to Garrigues, these are the goods in the shipment with the same tariff classification, description and origin.
Who pays the €2 fee?
The rule makes platforms and sellers outside the EU responsible for the customs formalities on what they sell to the EU. The regulation does not say how it is passed on to the buyer. Until there is official clarification we do not give figures for your specific case.
Is it the same as the €3 duty?
No. They are two different, independent measures. The €3 duty per item category is temporary (from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2028, on shipments of up to €150). The €2 handling fee pays for the handling of the clearance and is not a customs duty.
Is the fee refunded if I cancel or return the purchase?
Published legal analyses indicate that it is not refundable, because it pays for a handling service already provided. If this affects you, check the store's or platform's terms before buying.
How does MDE help me shop outside the EU?
With addresses in 10 countries, the Buy for me service, shipment consolidation (which cuts international shipping by up to 70%), the self-managed proforma and tracking of every package.
