New Tariffs to Apply to Low-Value B2C Parcels from UK to EU Starting July 1

According to foreign media reports, starting July 1, 2026, all B2C parcels with a value below ?150 shipped from the United Kingdom to the European Union will be subject to a new tariff. This represents one of the most significant changes in cross-border fulfillment since Brexit, and a large number of relevant merchants are currently unprepared.

This tariff is levied based on the product's HS code (i.e., category), with a fixed fee of ?3 per distinct HS code, not per parcel. A single mixed order containing three different types of goods would incur a ?9 tariff, increasing costs even before other fees are added. Merchants running bundled or multi-SKU promotional activities will see their costs rise even faster.

Data from the UK parcel delivery comparison platform Parcel2Go shows that in May 2026, 85% of the orders it processed destined for the EU qualified for the new tariff. Only parcels marked as gifts are exempt; the vast majority of commercial shipments will fall under the new rules from July 1.

This tariff is paid by the EU consumer during the customs clearance process. If not settled in advance, the parcel will be held at the border. Consumers will receive an additional bill before delivery, and many will refuse to pay, ultimately leading to the parcel being returned. The merchant then loses the sale and bears the return shipping costs.

Liam Yates, Commercial Manager at Parcel2Go, stated that the tariff itself is manageable with proper preparation. The real losses often stem from not taking action before July, leaving consumers with an unexpected bill at the border, which results in lost orders and additional costs for the merchant.

In addition to the uniform fixed tariff, some EU member states impose extra handling and administrative fees, including France and Italy, further increasing the cost and complexity for UK merchants shipping to these markets. Detailed fee breakdowns for specific countries can be found on the Parcel2Go International Shipping Hub.

It is reported that one viable solution is to adopt the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping model. This involves settling the tariff during the checkout process before the parcel is shipped. Consumers then receive the goods without paying extra fees, customs clearance is faster, and the merchant maintains full control over the delivery experience.

Parcel2Go stated it has collaborated with multiple courier partners to launch DDP shipping services, allowing UK merchants of various sizes to switch before the July deadline.