The EU begins charging a €2 fee on parcels arriving from outside the Union

Published 2026-10-31

The European Union has begun charging a new €2 fee on parcels arriving from outside the EU. The measure affects online purchases of low-value products shipped directly to European consumers, including customers in Spain.

Until now, many small-value shipments entered the European market without paying specific fees, something that authorities considered a problem for local trade. With this new charge, the EU wants companies selling from other countries to contribute more fairly and competition with European shops to be more balanced.

On the other hand, some consumer organisations are calling for controls on parcels to be strengthened. According to these voices, charging a fee is not enough; it is also necessary to review the products entering European territory to ensure they meet safety and quality standards. In addition, the rise in small-sized shipments has increased the workload for customs authorities.

For Spanish consumers, the change may mean that the final price of some purchases goes up, although the exact amount will depend on each order and on the shop. It is advisable to check shipping conditions before buying, as the fee may not always appear in the product price.

In short, the EU is already applying a €2 fee to parcels coming from outside the Union, while the debate grows over whether customs controls are sufficient. Monitoring this measure will be important to see how it affects online commerce and Spanish households in the coming months.

Sources: Business Insider España

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