EU applies €2 administrative fee per item from 1 November

From 1 November a new administrative charge of €2 per item applies across the European Union to online orders arriving from countries outside the bloc. The change increases the cost of imports placed through platforms such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress, though it does not automatically impose the same charge on buyers in North Macedonia.

What the fee covers and how it differs from the temporary duty

The Council of the EU says the administrative fee is intended to cover the costs of customs checks and the supervision of the very large number of small parcels entering the Union. It is separate from a temporary customs duty of €3 introduced on 1 July for parcels with a value below €150.

Authorities stress the two levies serve different purposes: the €3 customs duty aims to level the playing field between direct internet imports and traders who import goods through regular commercial channels, while the €2 administrative charge pays for handling and inspection of individual parcels.

For consumers in countries outside the EU the combined effect of these measures will raise the final price of many small online purchases. However, whether and how similar charges will be adopted by national authorities elsewhere — including in North Macedonia — depends on each country’s customs and tax policies and is not an automatic consequence of the EU decision.

Online marketplaces and parcel carriers will be responsible for applying the administrative charge when consignments enter EU territory, and shoppers should expect to see the fee reflected in checkout totals or as a separate import handling charge on delivery.

Photo: press material from the event