EU Council Endorses New 3 Euro Customs Fee For Small Packages

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 13, 2026

Overview Of The New Customs Regulation

The European Union Council has approved a minimum fee of 3 euros for every small package entering the EU from third countries, effective from July. This decision is part of a broader revision of customs duties designed to modernize and level the playing field in the age of global e-commerce.

Addressing Unfair Competition

Under the existing framework, many low-value parcels, largely shipped from China, enter the EU without customs duties. This practice has long been criticised for distorting competition and disadvantaging European retailers. The planned removal of the exemption for packages valued under €150 is expected to strengthen local businesses and limit unfair pricing strategies by foreign sellers. Finance Minister Makis Keravnos noted that updating customs rules is essential for both market competitiveness and consumer protection.

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Implementation Timeline And Key Measures

A central element of the reform is the abolition of the value-based duty exemption for parcels below €150. Customs duties will gradually be applied to all goods once the EU Customs Data Hub becomes operational, which is currently projected for 2028. In the interim, Member States have agreed on a temporary unified fee of €3 per parcel for items below the €150 threshold when shipped directly to consumers.

Differentiated Duty Charges By Item Category

From July 2026, the duty will be calculated according to the number of tariff categories contained within a package. For example, if a parcel includes two different clothing items classified under separate tariff codes, the total fee will amount to €6. This approach aims to ensure more accurate assessments and greater consistency in customs treatment across imported goods.

Economic Impact And Future Considerations

The revised customs structure is expected to generate additional revenue for both the EU budget and national treasuries, as customs duties remain an important financial resource for the Union. Officials also clarified that the €3 parcel fee is separate from a proposed processing charge that is still under discussion within the wider customs reform package.

Concluding Remarks

With global online trade continuing to expand, the EU’s decision represents a strategic effort to update its customs framework and restore balance between domestic and international sellers. Clear timelines and structured implementation measures suggest that the new system could significantly reshape how small cross-border shipments are handled within the European market.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

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