New EU Customs Duty on Low-Value Orders
If you're an EU-based customer who shops with us, you may notice a new tariff charge appearing on your order from 1 July 2026. We want to be completely transparent about where this charge comes from, why we're applying it, and what it means for you going forward.
What Has Changed?
On 1 July 2026, a new EU customs duty comes into force under Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382. This regulation introduces a flat-rate duty of €3 per HS code line on all commercial goods entering the European Union with a customs value of €150 or less.
Previously, low-value consignments, parcels worth under €150, were exempt from customs duty when imported into the EU. That exemption no longer exists. Any parcel dispatched from outside the EU, including from the United Kingdom, is now subject to this charge at the point of import.
This is an EU-wide change that affects every business selling and shipping goods into the EU from a non-EU country. It is not something any individual retailer has any control over.
Why Are We Adding It to Your Order?
We've chosen to collect the €3 duty at checkout rather than leave our EU customers to deal with it on delivery. Here's why:
It avoids unexpected charges when your parcel arrives. When customs duties aren't pre-collected, the courier or postal service typically holds the parcel until the recipient pays, often with an additional handling fee on top. We'd rather you know the full cost upfront.
It keeps fulfilment straightforward. Pre-collecting the duty means your order can clear customs without delay. Parcels held for duty payment can sit in sorting facilities for days, which nobody wants.
It's the honest approach. We believe in showing you the real cost of your order at checkout, not surprising you afterwards.
How Does It Work in Practice?
The €3 charge applies per HS (Harmonised System) tariff code in your order. Most of our products fall under a single HS code, so the majority of orders will attract just one €3 charge. If your order contains products across more than one tariff category, a €3 charge applies to each.
This duty is entirely separate from EU VAT, which continues to be collected in the usual way under the EU's existing rules for low-value imports.
We Know It's Frustrating
We're genuinely sympathetic. This is a real additional cost on cross-border purchases, and it lands on top of postage and VAT that EU customers already pay. It's a consequence of EU customs policy, not a decision we've made to increase our margins, we collect exactly what is owed and pass it on.
We update our website currency conversion fees daily so you will only pay the €3 charge at the current conversion rate.
If you have any questions about how the charge applies to your order, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're happy to explain how it's been calculated or clarify anything that isn't clear.
Thank you for your continued support. We value every one of our EU customers and will always aim to make the buying experience as straightforward as possible, whatever the regulatory landscape throws at us.