New EU Fee of 3 Euros Will Likely Make Packages from Shein, Temu and AliExpress More Expensive

Shopping on Shein, Temu or AliExpress just got a little more expensive for everyone in Europe, including the many Bulgarians who rely on these platforms for affordable clothing, gadgets and household goods. Starting 1 July 2026, the European Union introduced a new customs fee of 3 euros on low-value parcels arriving from outside the bloc, effectively ending a longstanding duty exemption that had allowed packages worth up to 150 euros to enter the EU tax-free.

Western-context note: The US ended a similar exemption, known as de minimis, for imports from China in May 2026, and extended it to all imports later in August, so the EU is following a broader global trend of closing this customs loophole.

How the New Fee Actually Works

The 3-euro charge may sound simple, but its mechanics matter. Club Z reports that the fee applies per product type within a parcel, not per parcel itself. So if you order three T-shirts, you pay one 3-euro charge. But if your package contains a T-shirt and a watch, two separate fees are applied. Formally, the fee is collected from the seller or importer at customs clearance. However, as Dnevnik reports, there is every reason to expect that cost will simply be passed on to the end customer.

The measure is described as temporary, intended to bridge the gap until a broader overhaul of EU customs rules takes effect. That reform includes the creation of a new European customs authority and a centralised platform for sharing customs data across member states.

Why Brussels Acted Now

Club Z reports that the EU justified the move by pointing to a dramatic surge in the volume of cheap parcels entering the bloc. In 2025 alone, more than 5.9 billion low-value shipments arrived in the EU, up from 4.6 billion the year before. These parcels account for 97 percent of all individual deliveries, yet represent only 2 percent of the total value of EU imports. That imbalance created an enormous administrative and competitive burden, with European retailers arguing the old system amounted to unfair subsidisation of Chinese platforms.

Dnevnik reports that this latest step is part of a broader crackdown the EU has been building against what it describes as unfair competition from online retailers that used the duty-free threshold to undercut European businesses on price.

What This Means for Bulgarians Abroad

For Bulgarian diaspora communities across Germany, Spain, the UK and beyond, Shein and Temu have become go-to platforms for stretching a budget. The new fee is unlikely to make these platforms unaffordable overnight, but for frequent shoppers ordering mixed parcels, the charges can add up quickly. It is also worth watching whether platforms absorb the cost through promotions or adjust their pricing structures entirely as the EU customs reform matures. For now, the 3-euro fee is the new reality of online shopping from China in Europe.