From 1 July 2026, the European Union introduced new customs rules for goods imported from countries outside the EU, including the United Kingdom.
If you are ordering from our store and your delivery address is within the EU, this update may affect your order.
What has changed?
Previously, commercial goods valued under €150 could enter the EU without customs duty (although VAT could still apply).
From 1 July 2026, this exemption has been removed.
A new €3 customs duty may now apply to low-value business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments entering the EU. According to the current guidance, this charge is applied per customs declaration line (product category) rather than per parcel.
For example:
* A parcel containing only one skirt may incur one €3 customs duty.
* A parcel containing boots and clothing may incur multiple €3 customs duty charges if they fall under different customs classifications.
Does this affect second-hand clothing?
Yes.
The new customs rules apply to commercial imports regardless of whether the items are new or second-hand.
All of our items are accurately described and declared using their actual selling price, together with the appropriate customs information required by shipping carriers.
Will I still need to pay VAT?
Import VAT rules remain separate from these customs duty changes.
Depending on your country and how your order is processed by customs, VAT, customs duties and local handling or clearance fees may still apply.
What are we doing?
We continue to ship to EU countries using Royal Mail and will ensure all customs information is provided as accurately as possible to minimise delays.
We are also monitoring updates from Royal Mail and EU customs authorities as implementation continues throughout 2026.
Does this apply to parcels over €150?
No. The text specifically notes that this rule replaces the old exemption where "goods valued under €150 could enter the EU without customs duty."
If your parcel is over €150, it is completely exempt from this flat €3 rule. Instead, it falls under standard EU customs laws, meaning you will be charged a percentage-based duty depending on the exact type of clothing, plus standard import VAT.
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We understand that these new regulations may increase the total import cost for some EU customers. Unfortunately, these charges are imposed by customs authorities and are outside our control.
If you have any questions before placing an order, please feel free to contact us. We are always happy to help.
References / Sources
Council of the European Union. (2025). Customs: Council agrees to levy customs duty on small parcels as of 1 July 2026. Consilium Press Release. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/12/12/customs-council-agrees-to-levy-customs-duty-on-small-parcels-as-of-1-july-2026/
European Commission. (2026). Guidance and legal text on temporary flat fee on low-value imports which will apply until 1 July 2028. Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union. https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/news/guidance-and-legal-text-temporary-flat-fee-low-value-imports-which-will-apply-until-1-july-2028-2026-06-08_en