Three Major International Carriers Jointly Petition the EU: Full Implementation of Low-Value Parcel Tariff Policy Should Be Delayed

[Ebrun Original] June 1st News: Recently, the world's three major international express carriers—DHL, FedEx, and UPS—jointly issued a public appeal to the finance ministers of EU member states, urging the EU to adopt a phased implementation plan for the new customs regulatory framework targeting low-value cross-border parcels, rather than a full-scale, simultaneous rollout by the predetermined deadline.

The three companies warned that the relevant technical systems, data standards, and operational processes are not yet fully ready. If all the reform measures are implemented simultaneously as originally planned on July 1, 2026, it could severely impact the European cross-border logistics system.

According to Reuters, this joint letter, dated May 22, 2026, was signed by DHL Express Europe CEO Mike Parra, FedEx Europe President Wouter Roels, and UPS Europe, Middle East, and Africa President Daniel Carrera.

The letter states that the companies support the EU's overall direction of strengthening customs oversight, enhancing trade transparency, and combating the flow of non-compliant goods. However, several key aspects of the current reform framework are not yet ready for implementation. Therefore, they suggest the EU allow some measures to launch as scheduled while postponing the more complex declaration and data management requirements to ensure a smooth transition.

It is understood that, according to a previous EU agreement, starting July 1, 2026, a uniform processing fee will be levied on low-value e-commerce parcels entering the EU market.

Parcels sold directly via e-commerce platforms will be charged ?3 each, while those entering via warehouses or other channels will incur a lower fee. The revenue will be used to cover customs supervision costs and support member states in handling the enforcement pressure from the surge in cross-border e-commerce parcels.

The core of the current controversy is not the new fees themselves, but a series of customs digitalization reforms set to be implemented alongside the fee measures.

According to EU plans, future cross-border e-commerce parcels will need to submit more detailed product information, including product classification, origin, and product description, and will gradually be integrated into a unified EU customs data platform for management.

For logistics companies handling millions of international parcels daily, this means completing large-scale information system upgrades, data interface modifications, and operational process restructuring within a short timeframe.

The three carriers pointed out in the letter that with only weeks left before the new rules take effect, some technical specifications are still not finalized, and the data exchange mechanisms between customs systems and corporate systems have not undergone comprehensive testing. A hasty launch under these circumstances could lead to decreased parcel clearance efficiency, increased logistics delays, and further drive up costs for businesses and consumers.

The backdrop for the EU's push for this reform is the explosive growth in the number of low-value cross-border e-commerce parcels in recent years.

European Commission data shows that in 2024, the number of low-value parcels entering the EU market reached approximately 4.6 billion, more than doubling from the previous year, averaging over 12 million per day. The vast majority originate from Chinese e-commerce platforms and sellers.

Faced with the growing parcel volume, EU regulators believe the existing customs system is already struggling to effectively address challenges related to product safety reviews, tax collection, and market supervision.

In fact, since the removal of the VAT exemption for imported goods valued below ?22 in 2021, the EU has continuously strengthened its oversight of cross-border e-commerce. With the rapid expansion of platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress in the European market, debates over whether low-priced imported goods enjoy unfair competitive advantages have intensified.

Against this backdrop, the EU formally proposed a customs reform plan in 2024, aiming to abolish duty-free treatment for goods valued below ?150 and establish a unified EU Customs Data Center to enable real-time monitoring of cross-border trade activities.

Although the full reform package was originally scheduled for gradual implementation around 2028, facing the continuous rise in cross-border e-commerce traffic, the EU has accelerated the implementation of related measures in recent years, ultimately pushing some reform elements forward to 2026.

In fact, the high level of concern from DHL, FedEx, and UPS regarding the new rules is closely tied to their central role in Europe's cross-border logistics system.

These companies not only handle a significant portion of international express shipments from Asia to Europe but are also key logistics partners for many cross-border e-commerce platforms.

Among them, DHL holds the largest market share in Europe, with its cross-border express business heavily reliant on European transit hubs like Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. FedEx also handles a large volume of e-commerce cargo from Asia to Europe via the EU. In recent years, UPS's Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) business has also become a significant growth area.

Should customs system operations encounter bottlenecks, parcel backlogs and shipping delays would first manifest within the operational networks of these international carriers.

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