New EU Handling Fee Imposed on Cross-Border E-Commerce Parcels
Latvian residents face increased costs on online purchases from non-European Union platforms such as Temu, AliExpress, and Shein following the implementation of a new European Union handling fee. Effective November 1, 2026, the two-euro charge applies to commercial shipments entering the bloc from third countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland, according to reports by LA.lv.
How the Two-Euro Union Handling Fee Is Calculated per Item Position
The two-euro charge is assessed per individual item position within a customs declaration rather than per total shipment, as LA.lv and ZiemelLatvija.lv reported. Omniva Communications Manager Jānis Andžāns explained that ordering three pairs of trousers incurs a single two-euro fee if declared under one category, whereas mixing distinct categories like trousers, a lawnmower, and a soup spoon results in three separate declarations totaling six euros in processing fees.
This fee operates independently from existing customs obligations. Under previous rules that took effect on July 1, 2026, the EU eliminated the former customs duty exemption for commercial shipments valued under 150 euros, applying a fixed three-euro customs duty per item position instead. The new two-euro handling fee stacks directly on top of these existing duties and standard value-added taxes.
Impact on High-Value Purchases and Private Gifts
The processing fee is not restricted to low-cost transactions. Purchases exceeding 150 euros also trigger the two-euro per-position fee alongside standard import duty rates and VAT, LA.lv noted. However, private gifts sent between individuals are exempt from the two-euro handling fee, though standard customs thresholds and declaration rules continue to govern personal packages sent by friends or relatives from outside the EU.
Payment Methods and Fraud Warnings Issued by Omniva
Collection methods depend on the e-commerce platform and shipping provider. Retailers using the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) framework can collect customs duties, VAT, and handling fees at checkout, allowing the delivery provider to manage clearance automatically. Omniva confirmed that shipments processed this way do not require customers to take further action upon arrival.
Logistics operators warned consumers to remain vigilant against phishing scams exploiting the regulatory changes. Fraudsters have begun circulating fraudulent text messages and emails demanding urgent customs payments through malicious links. Both the State Revenue Service (VID) and Omniva advise customers to verify any payment requests directly through official company applications or websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
Frequently Asked Questions About the New EU Handling Fee
Does the two-euro handling fee apply to gifts sent by family members living outside the EU?
No, private gifts sent between individuals are exempt from the two-euro handling fee, though other general customs rules and declaration requirements may still apply depending on the package value.
Will shoppers always have to pay the fee separately when their package arrives?
Not necessarily. E-commerce platforms using the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) system can collect the handling fee and related taxes at the time of purchase, meaning the delivery provider clears the shipment without requiring additional payments from the buyer.
How does a pre-November purchase get handled if customs clearance happens in November?
Shipments ordered before November 1 can still incur the new fee if the formal customs declaration is submitted on or after the effective date.
Are identical items always grouped into a single customs position?
Yes, multiple identical items falling under the same commercial category are typically grouped together as a single position in the customs declaration, resulting in only one instance of the fee for that group.
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