The European Parliament has adopted a reform of the EU Customs Code, introducing stricter rules for e-commerce imports and modernising customs procedures across the European Union. The reform is designed to improve consumer protection, increase compliance by online sellers, and help customs authorities manage the rapidly growing volume of parcels entering the EU.

Key changes include:

• Online marketplaces and non-EU sellers will be treated as importers, making them responsible for customs declarations, duty payments, and ensuring products comply with EU regulations.
• A new handling fee for parcels shipped directly from non-EU countries will be introduced by 1 November 2026 to help cover the costs of processing the growing number of e-commerce imports. The exact fee will be determined by the European Commission.
• Companies that repeatedly violate customs rules could face fines of at least 1% and up to 6% of their annual import value, along with the possible loss of customs privileges.
• The reform establishes a new EU Customs Authority, headquartered in Lille, France, and introduces the EU Customs Data Hub, a single digital platform that will replace numerous national customs systems and improve risk analysis.
• Trusted and compliant businesses will benefit from simplified customs procedures, helping legitimate trade move more efficiently across EU borders.

The reform will be published in the EU’s Official Journal as soon as possible. It will come into force a day later and member states will have to start applying the new rules in full after 12 months.