New Customs Duty on Shipments from China from July 1, 2026: Everything Every Online Shopper Needs to Know

If you are one of the Slovenians who enjoy ordering from Temu, Shein, or AliExpress, a lot has changed for you since July 1, 2026. The European Union has finally abolished the long-standing customs exemption for low-value shipments, meaning that cheap shopping from the Far East is no longer as simple and inexpensive as it was just a few months ago.

In this article, we will calmly and step-by-step explain exactly what has changed, how much you will actually pay, how the new duty is calculated, and — most importantly — how to plan your purchases smartly so you are not surprised when you receive your package.

What was the "de minimis" exemption and why is it ending?

Until now, the "de minimis" rule applied in the European Union. This meant that all shipments from non-EU countries, whose value did not exceed 150 euros, were exempt from customs duties. You only paid VAT, and the package arrived without additional formalities or costs.

It was this advantage that allowed the flourishing of Chinese online giants. The process was familiar and convenient: you added a phone case, a cable, maybe some other trinket to your cart, and logistics centers on the other side of the world automatically combined your order into one shipment and sent it directly to your door.

The numbers show why the EU acted. In 2024 alone, approximately 4.6 billion such low-cost packages arrived in the European Union, with over 90 percent coming from China. The European Commission estimates that the vast majority of these shipments were intentionally undervalued in customs documentation or split into multiple smaller packages, solely to stay below the 150 euro threshold. This put European traders at an unfair disadvantage and cost the Union approximately one billion euros in lost revenue annually.

What changed on July 1, 2026?

From July 1, 2026, the customs exemption for shipments up to 150 euros no longer applies. Instead, a new temporary flat-rate customs duty has been introduced. Key points you need to understand:

• The duty is 3 euros for each tariff category of goods in the shipment — and not for the package as a whole.
• The duty applies in addition to VAT, which you have been paying until now.
• The arrangement is temporary and is expected to be in effect until mid-2028, when a comprehensive EU customs reform is expected to be implemented and the 150 euro threshold will be completely abolished.
• The date of customs clearance of the shipment is decisive, not the order date. This means that the duty will also be charged for goods ordered before July 1, if they are submitted for customs procedure after that date.

It is the calculation mechanism that surprises most buyers — and what we want you to understand correctly.

How is the duty actually calculated? (Specific examples)

Many people imagined the new regulation simply: one package, three euros, done. In reality, it is more complex. The new customs procedure no longer "sees" only the box, but treats and values each product individually, according to its tariff category.

Let's look at practical examples explained by the Slovenian Financial Administration (FURS):

Example 1: Package with three different products. You order a phone case, a cable, and a screen protector. Since these are three different tariff categories, you will pay 3 x 3 euros = 9 euros in customs duty — even if the entire package is worth less than 15 euros.

Example 2: Multiple identical products. If you order two T-shirts of the same type, they fall into the same tariff heading. For both together, you only pay a single 3 euros customs duty. Good news: different colors or sizes of the same product do not mean a new duty.

Example 3: A full cart of trinkets. If you order 11 pieces of clothing that fall into seven different categories (T-shirts, pants, belts, footwear, etc.), you will pay seven times 3 euros — a total of 21 euros in customs duty.

Warning: VAT is now also charged on customs duty

Here is another detail that many overlook. The new customs duty also increases the tax base for VAT. This means that VAT is no longer charged only on the value of the goods, but on the sum of the value of the goods and the customs duty combined.

Specific calculation: if an item is worth 10 euros and the customs duty is 3 euros, VAT (22%) is calculated on 13 euros, which amounts to 2.86 euros. The total additional cost for one such item is therefore 5.86 euros — for goods you intended to buy for 10 euros. In practice, each new customs item increases your final bill by at least 3.66 euros, even before considering shipping or customs brokerage fees.

Hidden trap: one order is not necessarily one package

Customers need to pay attention to one more thing. One order in the app does not necessarily mean one shipment. Chinese platforms often split a single order into multiple packages because products come from different warehouses or from different sellers.

Each of these separate shipments goes through its own customs procedure, and duty must be paid separately for each. In practice, a single order can trigger multiple separate customs clearances — and more costs than you expected when clicking the "buy" button.

When and how much will you pay?

According to FURS explanations, you will most likely not pay the costs at the time of online purchase, but only upon delivery. This means an additional payment to the post office or courier, often along with the cost of customs brokerage. These representation costs are expected to be even higher than before, as the new legislation limits the type of representation.

This is why, for low-cost items, the rule applies: the price in the cart on a Chinese platform is no longer a reliable approximation of what you will actually pay.

How to plan purchases smartly?

The new rules do not mean that ordering from China is never worthwhile again. But they do mean that you need to shop more thoughtfully. Here are some practical tips:

• Reduce variety in one order. Instead of five different types of products, order one type at a time — customs duty will be 3 euros, not 15.
• Check the estimated delivery date, not just the purchase date. The decisive moment is when the shipment enters customs processing.
• Pay attention to the actual shipping location. Some stores use European domains (.de, .si) or prices in euros, even though they ship goods from China. The appearance of the online store does not mean that the goods are in the EU.
• Calculate the total cost. For a range of small items, it is almost always more worthwhile to look for a domestic alternative.

Why buying from a domestic retailer is now often a better choice

This is precisely where an opportunity opens up for Slovenian and European retailers, and a simple solution for buyers. Products purchased within the EU are not burdened with additional customs duties, delivery is faster, and the final price is transparent — without surprises upon receipt.

When you consider the new customs duty, VAT on that duty, longer delivery times, and potential customs brokerage fees, the price difference between a Chinese platform and a domestic retailer for phone accessories often practically disappears. In addition, with a domestic purchase, you get something that is not available when ordering directly from China:

• Warranty and right to claim under Slovenian consumer protection law. If the product does not work or does not match the description, you have clear legal protection.
• Products compliant with European standards (CE mark), which have been checked according to European safety regulations.
• Fast delivery — usually within one to two working days, without waiting for customs procedures.
• Support in Slovenian, if you have any questions or problems.

In the Infostyle store, you will find a wide selection of phone cases, chargers, cables, power banks, and other phone accessories — all in stock, ready for immediate delivery, and with all the protection that comes with buying from a domestic provider.

Conclusion

The change in customs legislation on July 1, 2026, is not just a technical detail — it is a shift that changes the entire mathematics of cheap online shopping. The new duty of 3 euros for each type of goods, the calculation of VAT on customs duty, and additional brokerage fees mean that it is sensible to pause and reconsider before clicking "buy" on an Asian platform.

For small items that you once ordered for a few euros, the journey from the Far East often no longer pays off. A thoughtful buyer will now check whether the same or a better product is available domestically — faster, with a warranty, and without hidden surprises.

Sources: Council of the European Union (official press release, February 11, 2026), Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS), RTV SLO, Forbes Slovenia, FedEx regulatory notices, Export Window.