Online shopping in Croatia to change as EU imposes €3 charge on low-value goods

The European Union is set to implement a fixed customs duty of €3 on low-value goods purchased online, a move that will significantly impact e-commerce across the bloc including Croatia. Effective July 1, 2026, the new measure applies to all items valued at less than €150, which currently represent approximately 93% of all e-commerce shipments entering the region. According to reports from HRT, authorities intend to apply the charge per individual item rather than per parcel, marking a shift in how cross-border digital trade is taxed. This regulatory change is designed to establish a more level playing field between online retailers, particularly those based outside the EU, and traditional brick-and-mortar shops. To facilitate this, online platforms and sellers must notify EU customs immediately after a sale via a centralised customs data hub. The initiative responds to a surge in demand for low-value goods, with an estimated 200 such packages entering the EU every second through global platforms. Retail experts suggest that while consumers may not abandon these purchases entirely, the new fee could curb impulse buying habits driven by ultra-low prices. The move coincides with tighter regulations under the EU’s Digital Services Act, where platforms such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress face investigations regarding non-compliant or unsafe products. Recent research in France indicated that 75% of tested products failed to meet EU compliance standards, highlighting the necessity for stricter oversight. Beyond safety concerns, officials have highlighted the environmental consequences of mass-produced, low-value goods that are often quickly discarded. The economic impact on European industries is also significant, with the clothing sector estimated to lose nearly €12 billion annually due to such imports. For Croatian consumers, the change is likely to bring modest price increases on small online purchases, particularly from non-EU sellers where bulk ordering incentives may now be less viable.