The Customs Watch EU Edition 24

Annkaren Wambui
Jun 26
5 min read

🔒Two major customs changes arrive on 1 July. One could reshape steel sourcing. The other could affect millions of low-value imports. Discover what matters most in this week's The Customs Watch EU and download the latest edition today.

The Customs Watch EU

Summary: European customs policy is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. This week's edition of The Customs Watch EU explores the introduction of the EU's new 50% steel safeguard regime, the removal of the €150 customs duty exemption and the arrival of the new €3 low-value parcel charge from 1 July. We also examine the expansion of CBAM into downstream products, progress on the EU-India Free Trade Agreement, and key developments shaping the future of EU customs reform. For customs and trade professionals, the challenge is no longer finding information, it's knowing which developments could affect costs, compliance, and competitiveness.

Read the latest edition here (PRO Subscription required)

Steel's 50% Wall | The €3 Parcel Hit | India's FTA Lands

Customs Watch EU infographic on steel tariffs, €3 parcel duty, and India-EU FTA, with EU map, box, steel coils, and India flag. — *Two major customs changes arrive on 1 July. One could reshape steel sourcing across Europe. The other could affect millions of low-value imports. Discover what matters most in this week's* ***The Customs Watch EU***.

The European Union has a habit of making major customs changes look deceptively simple.

This week is a perfect example.

On 1 July 2026, two significant customs developments arrive simultaneously.

The first is the introduction of the EU's new steel regime, which increases out-of-quota duties to 50% and significantly reduces tariff-free volumes.

The second is the removal of the familiar €150 customs duty de minimis threshold, replacing it with a new €3 duty structure for low-value imports.

One development could materially affect industrial supply chains.

The other could affect millions of low-value e-commerce shipments.

Both deserve attention.

Both are covered in this week's edition of The Customs Watch EU.

What Is Covered In This Week's Customs Watch EU?

Customs Watch EU infographic on steel duty, €3 parcel fee, CBAM expansion, and India FTA progress, with EU map and parcel image — *From steel safeguards and the €3 parcel duty to CBAM expansion and the EU-India FTA, this week's* ***The Customs Watch EU*** *highlights the customs developments that could shape costs, compliance, and competitiveness across Europe.*

This week's edition of The Customs Watch EU examines:

🚨 Steel: 50% Out-of-Quota Duty From 1 July

The EU's new steel safeguard regime is about to change landed-cost calculations across numerous sectors.

Many businesses are focused on the headline number.

However, the practical implications may extend far beyond the tariff itself.

The Customs Watch EU explores the details, affected departments, and actions businesses may wish to consider before 1 July.

🚨 E-Commerce: The €3 Parcel Duty Arrives

The long-standing €150 customs duty exemption is ending.

From 1 July 2026, qualifying low-value consignments will become subject to a new flat-rate duty structure.

The changes are part of the EU's broader customs reform agenda and may affect customs declarations, finance teams, e-commerce operators, and supply chain planning.

To help businesses understand these changes, we have also included a dedicated information resource covering the removal of the de minimis threshold and the new EU handling fee framework.

📥 Download the briefing:

Removal of De Minimis & EU Handling Fee Information Session

(PDF download)

The briefing explains:

• Why the €150 threshold is being removed

• How the new €3 charge operates

• When the charge applies

• Declaration and data requirements

• Product Identifier obligations

• Practical implementation considerations for businesses and customs professionals

The changes form part of the wider EU Customs Reform programme designed to modernise customs processes and strengthen controls across the Union.

⚡ CBAM Expansion Moves Closer

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism continues to evolve.

The latest developments suggest that downstream steel and aluminium products may become increasingly important areas of focus for businesses operating within affected sectors.

The full analysis, implications, and recommendations are available in The Customs Watch EU.

🌍 India FTA Progress Continues

The EU-India Free Trade Agreement remains on track for signature before the end of 2026.

Although not yet in force, businesses involved in sourcing, manufacturing, and international trade may wish to begin considering the opportunities and challenges that could emerge once preferences become available.

This week's The Customs Watch EU examines what businesses may wish to monitor as developments progress.

Why Read The Customs Watch EU?

The challenge facing customs professionals is rarely a lack of information.

The challenge is identifying which developments actually matter.

Every week, The Customs Watch EU filters regulatory noise into practical trade intelligence, helping businesses identify risks, opportunities, and actions worth taking.

Rather than spending hours monitoring dozens of sources, customs professionals can focus on the developments most likely to affect their organisation.

PODCAST – The Customs Watch EU Edition 24

🎧 Listen to a discussion on the latest European customs developments in The Customs Watch EU Podcast. Whether you're travelling to the office or preparing for another thrilling customs audit, the podcast explains the week's developments in plain English.

Overview of What We Cover In The Customs Watch EU This Week

Topic & Regulatory Update	Key Takeaway for Businesses	Action To Take
Steel: 50% Out-of-Quota Duty From 1 July	Tariff-free steel quotas are being reduced and out-of-quota duties are doubling to 50%, potentially increasing landed costs across multiple sectors.	Sign up for the 30-day free trial of The Customs Watch EU.
E-Commerce: €3 Duty Hits Low-Value Parcels	The €150 customs duty exemption ends on 30 June, introducing a new €3 charge and additional declaration requirements from 1 July.	Sign up for the 30-day free trial of The Customs Watch EU.
CBAM Expansion Moves Closer	The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is expected to extend to more downstream steel and aluminium products, increasing future compliance obligations.	Sign up for the 30-day free trial of The Customs Watch EU.
India FTA Progress Continues	The EU-India Free Trade Agreement remains on track for signature by the end of 2026, creating future sourcing and market-access opportunities.	Sign up for the 30-day free trial of The Customs Watch EU.

There is much more to discover in The Customs Watch EU.

In addition to the above, this week's edition covers Chemicals Omnibus VI labelling simplification, Malaysia FTA negotiations, TAXUD's 2025 Activity Report, Kazakhstan's critical raw materials roadmap, Moldova's EU accession progress, and new EU investment discussions with Egypt.

In short, there is plenty happening in the world of EU customs and plenty that could affect your business.

So, if you'd rather spend your time gaining useful trade intelligence instead of doom-scrolling LinkedIn and hoping the algorithm serves you something relevant, now might be the perfect time to start your free trial.