Newsroom
Cypriots who regularly shop from online platforms like Temu, Shein, and other non-EU retailers may soon notice higher prices at checkout or delivery after the EU approved new customs rules affecting small parcels.
From 1 July 2026, new measures will apply across all EU member states, including Cyprus, and will change how low-cost online orders from outside the bloc are taxed.
According to the Cyprus Customs Department, the main change is the removal of the current exemption that allowed goods worth up to €150 to enter the EU without import duties.
Instead, a flat customs charge of €3 per item will be applied to parcels valued up to €150 that are ordered online from countries outside the EU.
In practice, this means a single order can become more expensive if it contains multiple items, since the fee is charged per product type, not per parcel.
However, one rule remains unchanged: small “gift” parcels sent between private individuals worth up to €45 will still be exempt, as long as they are non-commercial and sent without payment.
The Customs Department said the new system is designed to create fairer competition between EU-based businesses and companies outside the bloc, many of which have gained popularity through very low prices and direct shipping models.
For many shoppers in Cyprus, where online ordering from abroad has become increasingly common, the change is expected to be felt most on low-cost, frequent purchases where small fees can quickly add up.
The new rules also mean that returns and overall order costs could become more complicated, especially for consumers used to buying multiple low-priced items in one go.
In short, that €2–€5 bargain item from abroad may soon come with a small but noticeable extra charge.
