EU Introduces New Flat-Rate Customs Duty

Zimbabwe Posts Private Limited advises customers and stakeholders of significant changes under new European Union (EU) customs regulations affecting international postal consignments destined for selected Member States.

With effect from 1 July 2026, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden have abolished the customs duty de minimis threshold, resulting in all postal Business-to-Consumer (B2C) consignments entering these countries becoming subject to customs duty.

Under the revised framework, a flat-rate customs duty of EUR 3.00 per item will apply to consignments with a declared value of less than EUR 150, and postal operators are required to collect and remit these duties in accordance with applicable EU customs regulations.

Customers are advised that these customs duties are separate from Zimpost postage charges and are determined solely by the customs authorities of the destination country.

The introduction of the prepayment requirement is intended to enhance compliance with international customs regulations, improve transparency of landed costs for customers, and reduce customs clearance delays as well as unexpected charges upon arrival in the destination country.