EU Import Charges Spark Push for Book Exemptions
Educator Kimberly Portelli is petitioning to remove import fees that increase costs for international book shipments.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in International Trade
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A new petition seeks to exempt books from EU import charges, which have been compounded by a recent €2 handling fee on low-value international parcels. The fee, introduced to cover data verification and risk analysis, impacts e-commerce operators importing goods from outside the bloc.
Why it matters
Operators face rising administrative and landing costs for international shipments as the EU shifts toward centralized customs oversight. These charges aim to cover the costs of the new EU Customs Data Hub but create direct pricing pressure for businesses relying on non-EU suppliers.
The EU's new customs framework targets €2.58 billion in annual savings for businesses, while implementing a mandatory €2 handling fee per low-value parcel. A temporary €3 duty on imports is also in effect until July 2028.
The players
EU Customs Authority
A centralized regulatory body based in Lille responsible for managing customs data, risk analysis, and enforcement across member states.
Kimberly Portelli
An educator and petitioner advocating for the removal of import charges on books to reduce economic barriers to education.
The details
The €2 handling fee is mandated under the Union Customs Code to fund data verification and risk analysis for imported parcels. These measures are precursors to the EU Customs Data Hub, which is designed to replace fragmented national databases with a centralized system. Businesses must now account for these flat fees alongside temporary duties that persist until July 2028, requiring firms to audit their cross-border shipping costs and customs compliance protocols.
Timeline
1 July 2026: Temporary €3 duty on imports was introduced.
20 September 2026: EU Customs Authority was established in Lille.
November 2026: New €2 handling fee takes effect.
1 July 2028: EU Customs Data Hub becomes operational.
July 2028: Temporary duty ends and standard duties resume.
Market Landscape
The introduction of these fees aligns with the broader implementation of the Union Customs Code, which prioritizes digitized risk analysis over manual checks. This centralization represents a major shift from national customs databases to a unified EU-wide digital infrastructure.
Operators managing e-commerce supply chains from outside the EU must update their landed-cost calculations to account for the mandatory €2 handling fee. Finance teams should monitor the 2028 rollout of the Data Hub, as this may further alter administrative filing requirements for small-batch imports.
The takeaway
The move toward a unified customs authority signals that operational transparency and data reporting will become the primary drivers of cross-border trade costs. Review your current logistics contracts to determine how these flat handling fees are being passed through to your unit margins.
Further reading
For broader trends in cross-border commerce, see our coverage of International Trade.
More information
To track the campaign against these charges, visit the petition to reconsider import charges.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MaltaToday.
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Should the EU remove customs fees on imported books to ensure access to education?
