Italy fixed customs handling levy on e-commerce parcels from outside EU – put on hold until EU-level fee on 1 July 2026
Italy’s Ministry of Economy on 12 March 2026 confirmed a delay on its 2026 €2 customs handling fee. This announcement was made before the 15 March first reporting deadline of the levy first intended to come into place from 1 January 2026. This would have captured January and February imports.
The EU has two customs parcels levies coming into effect:
- 1 July 2026 to coincide with the interim EU €3 Customs Levy
- 1 Nov 2026 €2 Customs handling fee
Italy has become the latest EU member state to plan on small-value parcels being imported from outside the e-commerce to consumers. This applies to parcels not exceeding €150 intrinsic value – the current customs duties exemption threshold. It is expected to raise €123 million in 2026, and then €245 million in 2027 onwards.
Italy is imposing this fee on all parcels – B2C and B2B
Such a move would follow 2026 plans from: France; Belgium; and Romania, as well as EU Customs 2026 proposal to do the same from November 2026. Although only Romania has introduced its fee – France approved its version on 2 February 2026.
In addition, an interim EU €3 Customs Levy has been agreed to come into force from 1 July 2026. This would run alongside a Italian customs handling fee if introduced.
Alignment with 2028 EU Customs Reform
The national debate is taking place against the backdrop of wider EU initiatives to overhaul customs treatment of low-value e-commerce consignments. From 2028, the EU plans to remove the €150 de minimis duty exemption and apply customs charges to all imported parcels. A common flat administrative fee on small parcels is under consideration, expected to be broadly in the region of €2, for April 2026.
Member States Move Ahead of the EU
Several EU jurisdictions have already decided to introduce their own national handling charges in 2026:
- Romania;
- France;
- Belgium; and
- Netherlands.
These early national moves create a risk of cross-border routing incentives: parcels could be diverted to the lowest-cost entry point, undermining revenue objectives and increasing customs burdens in states with no national fee. The Italian motion explicitly warns that the absence of a domestic fee could redirect further volumes to Italy if neighbouring countries implement charges in January 2026.
Read more in our Italian VAT Guide.
