July 8th 2026

📌 EU Introduces New Low-Value Parcel Customs Charge

The customs duty exemption for low-value e-commerce consignments has now ended. From 1 July 2026, the European Union abolished the €150 customs duty exemption for eligible low-value business-to-consumer imports, introducing a temporary €3 customs charge for each different tariff heading represented within a consignment.

This means that a single consumer order containing products classified under different tariff headings may incur multiple €3 charges. When combined with carrier handling charges applied in some Member States, including France and Italy, the change is expected to increase import costs for many low-value consumer shipments. Businesses exporting to EU consumers should review their tariff classifications and customs arrangements, including Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) solutions, to help minimise delivery delays and unexpected costs.

📌 Steel Measures Introduce 50% Out-of-Quota Duty

New UK steel safeguard measures came into force on 1 July, replacing the previous safeguard framework.

Under the revised arrangements, tariff-free import quotas administered by HMRC have been reduced by 51%. The quotas operate on a quarterly, first-come, first-served basis. Once the available quota for a product category has been exhausted, subsequent imports become subject to a 50% out-of-quota customs duty.

The measures apply to a range of steel products, including hot-rolled sheets, reinforcing bar (rebar) and metallic coated plates. Importers and manufacturers should review quota availability and sourcing strategies to help manage potential cost implications.

📌 HMRC Launches Customs Modernisation Consultation

HMRC and HM Treasury have launched a joint consultation on the future of the UK’s customs framework as part of the 2026 Tax Update.

The 12-week call for evidence, which runs until 15 September 2026, seeks views on opportunities to modernise customs processes and better support digital trade.

The consultation explores how customs processes could make greater use of structured commercial and logistics data rather than relying primarily on traditional customs declarations. Areas under consideration include the potential role of artificial intelligence in documentary checks by government departments, wider adoption of Electronic Trade Documents, and whether existing customs authorisation processes remain appropriate for increasingly digital supply chains.