EU Commission clarified how VAT should be applied to the new €3 customs duty on low-value imports. The duty, effective 1 July 2026, is exempt from VAT for IOSS users but taxable for Special Arrangements and standard imports. A separate €2 handling fee, expected before November 2026, will be outside VAT.
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Customs Support Group · about 15 hours ago
EU e‑commerce reform introduces a €3 per line‑item customs fee replacing the €150 exemption from 1 July 2026, and shifts import declaration responsibility from consumers to platforms or sellers from 1 November 2026. Declarants must provide three product identifiers (M‑PID, NS‑PID, S‑PID) and will act as deemed importers, while H7 and H1 declarations will determine duty and VAT regimes. The reform also clarifies carrier filing obligations and IOSS applicability.
Global VAT Compliance · about 22 hours ago
The European Commission clarified that the new EUR 3 customs duty on low‑value consignments (≤ EUR 150) will apply from 1 July 2026. Under the IOSS scheme no VAT is due on this duty, whereas VAT is payable on it for imports using Special Arrangements or the standard import procedure. A Union handling fee, expected from November 2026, will be outside the scope of VAT.
Thomson Reuters · 5 days ago
The Thomson Reuters Institute report highlights that EU‑wide ViDA mandates for cross‑border e‑invoicing and digital reporting will come into force in 2030, while many member states are already implementing national e‑invoice and real‑time reporting requirements. Despite widespread awareness, only 22% of EU tax and finance professionals have a formal, funded transition program, underscoring a significant readiness gap.
1stopVAT · 7 days ago
The EU will introduce a fixed customs duty fee of EUR 3 per distinct item for low‑value B2C imports from outside the EU, effective 1 July 2026. The previous duty relief for consignments valued up to EUR 150 will end, and the Commission has issued guidelines to help vendors comply.
Meridian Global Services · 12 days ago
The article explains how contract and toll manufacturing arrangements are treated under EU VAT law, highlighting the importance of economic reality in determining whether the supply is of goods or services. It outlines the reverse charge mechanism for toll manufacturing, the French four-part test, and the risk of creating a Fixed Establishment that triggers local VAT registration and reporting obligations.
Law360 · 12 days ago
An EU court has ruled that grouped companies, even when treated as a single entity for VAT payments, must be considered separately when determining eligibility for certain VAT exemptions. The decision clarifies that VAT group members cannot rely on a collective status to claim exemptions, affecting how VAT groups assess exemption eligibility across the EU.
Key Takeaways
The €3 customs duty becomes effective on 1 July 2026.
No, IOSS users are exempt from VAT on the €3 duty; VAT is charged at checkout on the goods only.
Under Special Arrangements, the €3 duty is included in the VAT taxable amount, so VAT is payable on the duty.
The €2 handling fee, expected before November 2026, is outside the scope of VAT and will not be taxed.
Primary source
Read the full article at VatCalcThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 23 June 2026. It relates to VAT developments in European Union. The original source is VatCalc.
