Italy to impose additional €2 fee on small parcels as EU introduces new customs charge targeting low-value imports

Italy is preparing to introduce an additional tax on small commercial parcels arriving from abroad, adding another layer of costs for international online shopping as European governments move to tighten controls on low-value imports.

Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti confirmed that Rome’s planned levy will be applied on top of a separate European Union-wide customs measure already approved for small packages entering the bloc.

The decision could affect millions of consumers who regularly purchase products from international e-commerce platforms, particularly from countries outside the European Union.

Italy’s new €2 parcel levy starts in October

According to the Italian government, the new measure will introduce a €2 charge on commercial parcels valued up to €150.

The tax is expected to begin in October 2026 and will apply in addition to existing European customs measures.

Speaking before Italy’s parliament, Giorgetti clarified that the national levy will not replace the EU charge but will be added on top of it.

“The levy will be added to the duty introduced by the EU Regulation,” the minister said.

This means some imported packages could face combined fees when entering the Italian market.

🇪🇺 EU already introduced €3 customs duty on low-value packages

The Italian announcement comes after the European Union approved a new customs charge targeting low-value parcels entering the bloc.

The EU measure introduces a €3 customs duty on small packages arriving from outside the European Union.

The policy is part of a wider European effort to reform import rules and address concerns linked to the rapid growth of cross-border online shopping.

For years, European authorities have debated how to manage the increasing volume of low-cost products entering European markets through digital marketplaces.

Why Europe is targeting small parcels

The growth of platforms selling inexpensive products directly to European consumers has transformed global retail.

Millions of packages are shipped every day from international sellers, creating pressure on:

• customs systems;
• European retailers;
• local manufacturers;
• environmental targets.

European officials argue that the previous system gave some foreign sellers an advantage because many low-value packages entered the market with limited customs obligations.

The new measures aim to create a more equal competitive environment between European businesses and overseas sellers.

Impact on online shopping platforms

The new charges are expected to affect major international e-commerce platforms that rely heavily on small parcel deliveries.

Companies such as:

• Temu;
• Shein;
• other cross-border marketplace platforms;

could face higher logistics costs when shipping products into European countries.

Although the fees are officially paid during the import process, analysts expect some costs could eventually be reflected in product prices.

Italian businesses welcome stronger protection

Italian retailers and manufacturers have long argued that European companies face unfair competition from extremely cheap imported goods.

They claim foreign sellers often benefit from:

• lower production costs;
• cheaper shipping;
• different regulatory environments.

The additional parcel levy is seen by some businesses as a step toward protecting domestic companies.

Consumers may feel the impact

While governments say the measures are designed to improve fairness, consumers may experience higher prices for low-cost imported products.

A small purchase that previously arrived without additional charges could become more expensive after the introduction of combined EU and Italian fees.

This could particularly affect shoppers who rely on international platforms for inexpensive clothing, electronics accessories, household items and other everyday products.

Bigger picture: Europe’s battle over global online commerce

The new Italian tax reflects a wider European debate about how to manage the explosive growth of international e-commerce.

The challenge for policymakers is balancing two objectives:

Protect European businesses without making online shopping unnecessarily expensive for consumers.

As digital commerce continues expanding, governments are increasingly looking at taxation and customs reforms to adapt old trade systems to a new global shopping environment.

Final analysis: A new era for cross-border shopping in Europe

Italy’s decision signals that European countries are moving toward stricter control of small parcel imports.

The combination of the EU’s €3 customs duty and Italy’s additional €2 levy could become a model for other countries seeking new revenue sources and stronger protection for domestic markets.

For consumers and online retailers, the message is clear:

The era of almost unrestricted low-cost parcel imports into Europe is coming under pressure.

Source: Reuters / Italian Parliament statements / European Union customs policy