The change means that all commercial imports from non-EU countries, regardless of value, may become subject to customs duties, marking a significant shift for millions of consumers who regularly buy products from overseas online marketplaces.
EU authorities have said the measure is aimed at strengthening oversight of goods entering the bloc and tackling the widespread practice of undervaluing parcels to avoid customs obligations.
Under the new rules, customs duties will be calculated separately for each category of goods contained in a shipment. Consumers using a simplified customs clearance procedure will be charged 3 euros for every distinct type of product listed in a parcel, according to Emil Lipiec, head of International Operations at Poland's state-owned postal operator Poczta Polska.
"For example, if a parcel contains two mugs, the customs charge will be 3 euros because they fall under the same customs category," Lipiec told Poland's PAP news agency. "If the package contains a mug and a T-shirt, which are classified under different customs tariff codes, the charge will be 6 euros."
The timing of customs clearance, rather than the purchase or delivery date, will determine whether the new rules apply, he said.
Consumers who place orders before July 1 but whose parcels are processed by customs after the new regulations take effect could still be required to pay the new duties. Shipments that complete customs formalities before July 1 will not be affected.
The changes will not alter the delivery process for individual customers. Customs duties and any applicable taxes will continue to be collected from recipients when parcels are delivered.
An existing exemption for gifts sent between private individuals will remain in place. Goods worth up to 45 euros sent from outside the EU as personal gifts will continue to qualify for customs and tax relief.
Lipiec said customs representatives may also request additional documentation from recipients, including invoices or purchase receipts, to verify the value and nature of imported goods.
The rules will apply to all imports from non-EU countries, including purchases for which value-added tax (VAT) has already been collected at checkout through the EU's Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) system.
The European Commission has estimated that billions of low-value parcels enter the EU each year, placing increasing pressure on customs authorities and raising concerns about product safety, tax compliance, and unfair competition.
(aj)
SOURCE: PAP