🇪🇺 Important Update for EU Customers: New EU Customs Rules from July 1, 2026

The European Union has announced significant changes to the way low-value imports are processed at customs. These new rules will come into effect on July 1, 2026 and will affect shipments entering EU member states from outside the EU, including parcels shipped from Japan through Sendico.

What is changing?

The biggest change is the removal of the €150 customs duty exemption (known as the "de minimis" exemption).

From July 1, 2026, most consumer shipments with an intrinsic value of €150 or less entering the EU will instead be subject to a €3 customs duty per customs declaration line. Depending on the contents of your shipment, a parcel containing different product categories may incur more than one €3 charge.

These charges are government-mandated by the European Union and are not a Sendico fee.

What doesn't change?

To make things easier, here's what isn't changing:

• ✅ Sendico's service remains the same.
• ✅ We will continue shipping to European destinations as normal.
• ✅ Import VAT rules remain unchanged. (The EU already removed the VAT exemption for low-value imports in 2021.)
• ✅ Shipments valued above €150 will continue to follow the existing customs duty process rather than the new €3 low-value duty.

How does this affect Sendico customers?

If you're shipping to an EU member state, you may notice:

• Additional customs charges on eligible low-value shipments.
• Customs authorities requiring payment of the new duty before delivery, depending on your country's procedures and carrier.
• Slightly longer customs processing while the new system is introduced.

The exact amount payable will depend on the contents of your shipment and how it is declared.

Why is the EU introducing these changes?

According to the European Commission, these reforms are intended to modernize the EU customs system, create fairer competition between EU and non-EU retailers, improve product safety oversight, and better manage the growing volume of low-value e-commerce imports entering Europe.

We're Here to Help!

We understand that customs regulations can sometimes be confusing. While these new rules are determined by EU customs authorities and not by Sendico, we'll continue to monitor developments and share any important updates that may affect our European customers.

As always, thank you for choosing Sendico!