Online shopping from China, the United States, and other countries outside the European Union just became more expensive Wednesday morning as a new import duty took effect. The measure introduces a €3 (about $3.50) charge for each distinct product included in shipments valued at up to €150 (about $175).

The €3 duty is calculated per individual product type—not per package—while the existing Value Added Tax (VAT) rules will continue to apply.

With this measure, the European Union is responding to the growing influx of low-value parcels from platforms such as Temu and Shein, which until now have entered the EU duty-free. European authorities have argued that the exemption has created unfair competition, increased risks to consumer health and safety, contributed to high levels of fraud, and raised environmental concerns.

According to a recent study by the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE), the volume of low-value parcels entering the EU continued to rise in 2025, reaching 5.88 billion shipments, up from 4.67 billion in 2024. In Greece alone, between 200,000 and 250,000 low-value parcels are handled every day. According to ESEE, 80% of their total value and 93% of their total volume originated in China, primarily through platforms such as Temu and Shein.

Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) Guidelines

The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) has issued guidance on the new rules:

1. Starting July 1, new customs rules take effect across all EU member states, including Greece, for online purchases of goods valued at up to €150 (about $175) from countries outside the European Union. The rules apply exclusively to purchases made by private consumers through e-commerce platforms.
2. The special import duty of €3 (about $3.50) will be imposed on each distinct type of product imported from third countries through online shopping.
3. The €3 charge is calculated per different product type, not per parcel. For example, if a package contains a book, a notebook, and a pen, these are considered three separate product types. In that case, a total duty of €9 (about $10.50) will be charged (€3 per item), in addition to the applicable VAT and any other charges. If a package contains two identical notebooks with the same specifications, they are considered a single product type, and the total duty is €3.
4. The new duty is a temporary measure and will remain in effect until June 30, 2028. Beginning July 1, 2028, the standard customs tariff system will apply, with import duties calculated according to each product’s customs classification, regardless of its value or the method of purchase and shipping.
5. The special import duty will be paid to customs authorities by the import declarant, which may be the online platform, the seller, the shipping company, or their authorized representatives, depending on how the shipment is handled.
6. If a product is returned simply because the consumer changes their mind or exercises their right of withdrawal, the import duty paid at the time of import will not be refunded. However, in cases provided for under customs legislation—such as when goods are found to be defective or do not comply with the terms of the sales contract—the duty may be refunded in accordance with the applicable customs procedures.
7. The new import duty does not affect the existing VAT collection procedures for distance sales of imported goods. VAT will continue to be paid either at the time of purchase through the online platform when the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) system is used, or during customs clearance by the consumer when the Special Arrangements system or the standard VAT regime applies.

It is noted that the new rules do not affect the purchase and shipment of goods within Greece or between European Union member states.