Buying goods online from outside the European Union? A new fee will apply from November 1, 2026
What will change from November 1, 2026?
From 1 November 2026, a new EU handling fee is planned to be introduced for goods purchased online and shipped from outside the European Union.
The fee was set by the European Commission at €2 for each item in the shipment. The change is due to EU regulations regarding the handling and customs control of shipments imported from outside the EU.
What purchases are affected by the change?
The new fee will apply to goods purchased remotely, such as from online stores and shopping platforms, that are shipped from countries outside the European Union and imported into the EU. The fee will also apply to purchases worth more than €150.
Before placing your order, please check where the item will be shipped from. The Polish language version of the store, payment in Polish zloty, or website address do not necessarily mean that the shipment will be shipped from Poland or another European Union country. If the item is shipped from outside the EU, import fees may apply.
Will I pay 2 EUR for each item?
Not always. The fee is charged per item, not per unit. This means that several identical products can be treated as a single item if they share the same description, tariff classification, and, where applicable, the same origin.
Examples:
- If you purchase three identical T-shirts that meet the requirements for a single item, the fee will be €2.
- You're purchasing a T-shirt and shoes. These are two separate items, so the fee will be €4.
Please note that multiple items may be included in a single shipment. In such cases, the total shipping fee will be higher.
Does the new fee replace customs duty, VAT or customs declaration processing fees?
No. The EU handling fee is an additional charge, independent of other fees associated with importing goods from outside the European Union. Depending on the type of goods, their value, and the method of settlement, the following fees may also be charged:
- duty,
- VAT,
- customs declaration processing fee charged by the operator.
Please note: paying VAT when shopping online does not automatically mean that all charges related to the import of the shipment have already been settled.
Does the new fee replace other import fees?
No. The EU handling fee does not replace customs duties, VAT, or customs declaration processing fees. These are separate charges that may apply to imported goods from outside the European Union. Even if VAT was collected at the time of purchase, other fees related to handling and customs clearance of the shipment may also apply.
Will the method of delivering parcels change?
No. Poczta Polska will continue to process customs clearance for shipments imported into Poland. If necessary, recipients will continue to receive notifications requesting additional documentation to complete their customs declaration.
When and how will I pay the fees related to the import of the shipment?
Import fees (including customs duties, EU handling fees, VAT, and customs clearance fees) are the responsibility of the recipient. Depending on the type of customs clearance, fees may be collected before delivery or upon receipt.
I ordered goods before November 1, 2026. Can I avoid the new fee?
Not necessarily. The date of purchase alone does not determine whether the fee will apply. If the shipment is cleared for customs clearance after the new regulations come into effect, the shipment may be subject to an EU handling fee, even if