The Council of the European Union has taken an important step towards fairer trade in the EU single market. A new draft regulation proposes to abolish the customs duty exemption for low-value imports under €150 and to introduce a simplified tariff system for e-commerce goods.
Why this matters
Today, parcels worth less than €150 that arrive from outside the EU are exempt from customs duties. This rule, originally created to reduce paperwork, is now widely misused by online sellers who undervalue goods or split shipments to avoid customs and VAT.
EU retailers have long argued that this puts them at a competitive disadvantage compared to sellers on platforms based outside the EU.
What will change
Under the new proposal:
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The €150 customs duty threshold will be removed – all imported goods will be subject to customs duty, regardless of their value.
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A new simplified tariff system will be introduced for e-commerce platforms and importers. Instead of complex product-by-product calculations, low-value parcels could be grouped into five tariff “buckets” with flat duty rates.
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Excise goods (like alcohol or tobacco) and products under anti-dumping or safeguard measures will be excluded.
These changes are designed to make customs procedures simpler and fairer, while closing loopholes that harm EU businesses.
When will it happen
The new system will only apply once the EU Customs Data Hub — the digital backbone of the new EU Customs Code — is fully operational. Implementation is currently expected around 2028.
Why EFTTA supports this
For the European fishing tackle trade, this reform is a key step towards restoring fair competition between EU-based companies and global online sellers.
EFTTA will continue to follow the negotiations closely and advocate for practical, transparent rules that protect both the industry and consumers.
To learn more, join us at the EFTTA Angling Summit on 27 November 2025 in Berlin, where experts will provide detailed insights and discuss with the audience the way forward for fair and sustainable trade in Europe.
More:
=> EU Council proposal – Simplified Tariff & End of €150 Duty-Free Treshold
=> Establishing an EU customs data hub and an EU customs authority
