With new taxes, the EU is making it increasingly unattractive to order cheap goods from non-EU countries. What you should pay attention to before buying - and when you get your money back.
First the flat rate duty, now also processing fees: If you don't look carefully when shopping online, you may end up paying a lot more than you think. Photo: Franziska Gabbert/dpa-tmn
Berlin. Be it headphones, cell phone cases, T-shirts or fashion jewelry: ordering products with a comparatively low value from non-EU countries has become even more expensive since November 1st. In addition to the flat rate tariff of 3 euros introduced in the summer for shipments with a value of up to 150 euros, a processing fee of 2 euros has been added, regardless of the value of the goods.
Both the duty and the fee are calculated per category of goods ordered, which makes mixed packages with goods from different categories particularly expensive, explain the consumer advice centers.
5 tips before making a purchase - so that there is no expensive awakening
Even if the value of the goods is low, it is worth checking carefully whether the goods are being sent from a non-EU country. To ensure that buyers don't have an expensive awakening, consumer advocates have five tips ready:
Check the shipping conditions before ordering.
Look on the online shop's website for information about where the goods will be shipped from.
Look for alternatives: Are there shops that ship the same or a comparable product from the EU? Since you don't pay any taxes or customs duties within the EU (excluding coffee, alcohol, tobacco products and their substitute products), you may end up saving money even if the product costs a little more.
Declare goods yourself: If you want to save yourself the parcel service fee, you can declare your shipment yourself. However, delivery is then not possible, you have to pick up the goods at the customs office.
Before placing an order, obtain information about taxes and customs duties, for example on “ Zoll.de “.
Customs, handling fee - ready? - No, there can be more to come
The (flat) customs duty and the processing fee are not enough. Depending on the product type, import sales tax or excise tax (for tobacco, coffee and alcohol) may also be added. And the parcel service charges a flat rate service fee (up to 7.50 euros) if it takes over customs clearance.
The cell phone case bargain for 7 euros can quickly turn into an expensive pleasure:
Value of goods: 7 euros
Flat rate tariff since July 1, 2026: 3 euros
Processing fee since November 1, 2026: 2 euros
Import sales tax: 2.28 euros
Service fee: 7.50 euros
Actual purchase price: 21.78 euros
Dealers decide what they include in their prices
Whether the processing fee is paid directly or included in the price by the retailer depends on how the shipment is declared to customs. The flat rate tariff is aimed at traders and not at consumers. The retailer decides whether to pass the duty on to customers by increasing prices.
The only new things are the end of the 150 euro duty-free limit since summer and the processing fee. For shipments with a value of goods over 150 euros, customs duties were already due, as were import sales and excise taxes.
Duty paid order is returned: What will customs reimburse me?
Restricted consumer rights are also an issue when shopping online in non-EU countries: cancellation and guarantees are more difficult to enforce against retailers outside the EU, and returns are often problematic.
Consumer advice centers explain that anyone who returns a duty-paid order can apply to customs for a refund of the import taxes - and must prove that the goods were sent back to the original supplier.
Examples of evidence include:
a delivery receipt from the post office,
a confirmation of receipt from the foreign shop or
a receipt that the purchase price has been credited.
However, the processing fee of 2 euros per product category will not be refunded if the item is returned. The customs administration answers questions and answers about shipments from a non-EU country on “ Zoll.de “.
