New Charge on Online Purchases up to €150 – What Changes from 1 July 2026
The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) has announced the introduction of a new import duty for low-value consignments arriving from countries outside the European Union.
The new regulation comes into effect on 1 July 2026 and applies to online purchases of goods valued at up to €150 that are imported into Greece from non-EU countries.
What’s Changing
A €3 import duty will be charged for each different type of product included in a shipment.
It is important to note that the duty is not calculated per parcel, but per different product category contained in the shipment.
For example, if a shipment contains a phone case, a keychain, and a diary, these are considered three different product types, resulting in a total import duty of €9.
However, if the shipment contains two identical keychains, they are considered one product type and the import duty is €3.
Who Is Affected?
The new regulation applies to private consumers purchasing goods from online marketplaces based outside the European Union, where the value of the shipment does not exceed €150.
What About VAT?
The new charge applies only to the import duty.
There will be no changes to the way VAT is calculated or collected. VAT will continue to be applied under the existing rules:
1. At the time of purchase through the online marketplace when the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) scheme is used.
2. During customs clearance by the importer when the Special Arrangements or the standard VAT regime applies.
What Happens If the Goods Are Returned?
If a consumer returns a product simply because they changed their mind, the import duty is not refundable.
A refund may only be granted in specific cases, such as when the goods are defective or do not conform to the terms of the purchase.
Duration of the Measure
The measure is temporary and will apply from 1 July 2026 until 30 June 2028. After that date, the new EU customs framework is expected to come into effect.
APS Insight
APS continuously monitors regulatory developments affecting customs procedures, international shipping and import compliance, ensuring that our customers and partners stay informed about every significant change.
If you would like to understand how these new rules may affect your shipments or import operations, the APS team is always available to assist you.
APS team
June 2026