Handling fee for online purchases from outside the EU from 1 November 2026
From 1 November 2026, the European Union will introduce a new customs handling fee for e-commerce shipments imported from countries outside the EU.
The fee will be €2 per goods item and is part of the EU’s customs reform for imported e-commerce goods.
The customs handling fee will apply regardless of the shipment’s value and will be charged in addition to VAT and any other applicable duties.
According to information provided by Finnish Customs to Åland Post, the fee will apply only to shipments from countries outside the EU. Shipments sent within Finland and EU countries will not be affected.
What does this mean for you?
If you order goods from an online store based outside the EU, for example from the UK, the USA or Switzerland, the new customs handling fee may apply from 1 November 2026.
The new fee will apply to:
- All online purchases made and shipped from outside the EU, including IOSS shipments.
The new fee will not apply to:
- Shipments from EU countries
- Shipments sent between private individuals within Finland and the EU
- Ordinary letters, postcards and parcels sent between private individuals within Finland or the EU
Who is responsible for the fee?
This customs handling fee is an EU-wide charge administered through the EU customs system. It is not a fee charged by postal operators. The revenue goes to the EU member state where the goods are imported.
Product identifiers required for customs clearance from 1 November 2026
From 1 November 2026, product identifiers (PID) must also be provided for customs clearance of online purchases worth €150 or less, which are shipped from countries outside the EU.
Read more on the Finnish Customs website: https://tulli.fi/customs-fee-upcoming