Advice for the Netherlands to postpone imposing fees on packages amid EU changes
The Raad van State (Council of State of the Netherlands) advised the government to postpone plans to impose a fee of 2 euros on packages coming from outside the European Union that are valued at less than 150 euros. Currently, these packages are exempt from customs duties. The advisory body warned that the upcoming European measures could make national fees unnecessary.
Belgium and France intend to impose similar fees of 2 euros starting in early 2026, which could lead to more packages being routed through the Netherlands. The Dutch government had announced plans to impose similar fees to protect local stores and reduce the appeal of online shopping from abroad, especially from China.
The European Union had already planned to abolish the exemption for low-value packages, which was scheduled to take effect in 2028. However, EU finance ministers have moved the date to July 1, 2026, prompting the Raad van State to recommend that the Netherlands wait before implementing its own fees.
Advisors also warned that imposing national fees now could be legally challenged due to existing European and national legislation. They pointed to the possibility of legal challenges, emphasizing the scale of the financial interests involved. The Dutch fees were expected to generate around 2 billion euros, a large part of which would go to the national treasury.
EU research indicates that up to 65% of small parcels entering the EU have their value reduced to avoid customs duties. By awaiting developments in European regulations, the Netherlands can avoid unnecessary complications while continuing to address concerns related to cross-border online shopping.