Netherlands Scraps €150 Package Exemption as Import Fees Rise to €5
The Hague, 3 April 2026
Dutch consumers face significant cost increases on overseas purchases as the government abolishes the current exemption for packages under €150. Starting July 2026, a €3 import fee applies to all non-EU packages, followed by an additional €2 European charge in November. This policy shift particularly affects asylum seekers receiving family packages and represents the Netherlands joining France, Belgium, and Luxembourg in implementing similar measures to curb Asian package influxes and fund enhanced customs operations.
Timeline and Financial Impact of New Charges
State Secretary Eelco Eerenberg announced the policy changes in a letter to parliament on 2 April 2026, establishing a clear implementation schedule [1]. The €3 import fee takes effect on 1 July 2026, marking the end of the current de-minimis exemption for packages valued under €150 [1][2]. Four months later, on 1 November 2026, an additional €2 European handling fee will be introduced, bringing the total extra cost to €5 per package [1][4]. The €3 import charge represents a temporary flat rate that will remain in place until 1 July 2028, after which the actual import duty rate will apply [1][2].
Revenue Generation and Customs Modernisation
The financial implications of these changes are substantial for government coffers. Eerenberg estimates that the European levy will generate nearly €600 million across 2026 and 2027, whilst €100 million per year will be allocated for increased oversight of online trade [1]. The import duties alone are expected to yield over €180 million annually for the Netherlands, with the abolition of the de-minimis exemption generating €183 million in structural revenue [1][2]. The handling fee structure varies based on shipment type: standard packages incur charges per invoice line, meaning multiple identical items cost less than packages containing different products, whilst bulk shipments face a reduced rate of 50 cents per product line [1][4].
Enforcement Strategy and European Coordination
The policy represents a coordinated European response to e-commerce challenges, with the Netherlands joining France, Belgium, and Luxembourg in implementing similar measures to prevent package rerouting through other countries to avoid fees [1]. Dutch Customs will significantly expand its operations, adding 430 new full-time equivalent positions for additional controls and 130 FTEs for support functions [2]. The expected expenditure for Dutch Customs operations amounts to approximately €28 million in 2026, rising to between €90 and €110 million per year from 2027 to 2031 [2]. The European Commission’s formal warning about potential infringement procedures if the Netherlands failed to improve oversight at its external borders provided additional impetus for these changes [2].
Impact on Vulnerable Populations and Consumer Behaviour
The new fees disproportionately affect asylum seekers residing in reception centres who rely on packages from family members in their home countries or purchase items online from non-EU vendors [GPT]. These individuals, already managing limited financial resources, face an additional €5 burden per package regardless of its value or contents [1]. The government anticipates two primary behavioural responses: an increase in bulk shipments from third countries as businesses attempt to circumvent individual package fees, and a decrease in individual shipment volumes due to price sensitivity among consumers [2]. A comprehensive monitoring system, including a dashboard scheduled for completion in Q3 2026, will track policy effectiveness through key performance indicators such as control numbers, inspection percentages, and compliance rates, with an initial evaluation planned for 2029 [2].