Navigating changing EU customs rules
The customs regime for low-value parcels entering the EU is about to change. From next 1 July, parcels under €150 in value will be subject to a flat customs fee of €3 per item category. Does this challenge your business model as an importer? Breakbulk shipments offer a solution, says Hester Koch of Cableroad.
From 1 July 2026, the EU will abolish the €150 customs duty exemption for imported goods, introducing a flat €3 customs fee per item category in low-value parcels. For example, if a parcel contains a silk shirt and two wool sweaters, two separate product categories may apply, resulting in €6 in customs fees.
This interim measure (taken ahead of the planned establishment of an EU Customs Authority in 2027 and an EU Customs Data Hub in 2028) applies to parcels under €150, which currently enter the EU duty-free. In November 2026, a further handling fee will be introduced for these parcels.
Business models under pressure
For businesses that ship large volumes of low-value parcels into the EU, these changes could have a significant financial and operational impact. This includes:
- e-commerce businesses
- online marketplaces
- fashion and lifestyle brands
- companies shipping directly to EU consumers or retailers
The key question for many importers is simple: how can margins and operational efficiency be protected as customs costs increase? “This is where breakbulk becomes particularly interesting,” says Hester Koch of Cableroad Fiscal Agents. “By restructuring the supply chain, importers can often significantly reduce the administrative and financial impact of the new rules.”
What is breakbulk?
“Breakbulk, in this context, is about consolidating many small individual B2B or B2C shipments into one larger import flow,” Hester explains.
The process, step-by step:
- Goods are collected and consolidated outside the EU
- One bulk shipment goes to an EU entry point (for example the Netherlands)
- Import formalities are handled in one go
- VAT and customs processes are optimised
- From an EU hub, goods are forwarded locally or regionally to the end clients
Breakbulk benefits
“Thanks to breakbulk, importers avoid every parcel going through customs and being taxed separately,” says Hester. “For importers, this means less admin per parcel and lower overall handling costs. Moreover, this solution gives them more control: their e-commerce operations are easier to monitor for compliance, and more readily scalable.”
All-round support
At Cableroad Fiscal Agents, we understand both the operational and tax aspects of breakbulk shipping,” Hester explains. “That allows us to provide practical, end-to-end solutions that reduce complexity for importers.”
Cableroad, either directly or through its partner network, supports businesses with:
- VAT representation;
- Importer of Record (IOR) services;
- customs clearance;
- warehousing solutions;
- EU entity setup; and
- broader EU compliance support.
Cableroad also maintains a representative office in Brisbane, supporting businesses across the Asia-Pacific region that are importing into Europe.
“Breakbulk is only one example of how supply chains may need to evolve as EU customs rules become stricter,” Hester concludes. “Businesses that prepare early will be in a much stronger position to remain competitive.”