Shopping on Temu, AliExpress or Shein is about to get a little more expensive in Europe. From November 1, 2026, the EU charges a new €2 handling fee for each item sold from outside the EU. The EU published the rule on October 22, so member states must apply it from the start of November.
The new EU parcel fee comes on top of the €3 customs duty that has applied to low-value parcels since July. Together, that adds up to €5 per item before VAT.
At a glance
What Changes on November 1
In short, the EU parcel fee pays for customs checks on the huge number of small parcels arriving in Europe. It applies to goods sold online from outside the EU, whatever the order value.
Importantly, it counts per item, not per parcel. Customs treats products of the same type as one item, so five identical T-shirts count once. However, a T-shirt and a watch in the same parcel count as two items.
Good to knowGifts sent between private people aren’t covered. The fee applies to online sales, not to presents from friends abroad.
What It Costs per Order
Here’s how the fees add up for a typical order under €150:
| Order | €3 duty | €2 handling fee | Total extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 type of product | €3 | €2 | €5 |
| 3 different products | €9 | €6 | €15 |
| 5 different products | €15 | €10 | €25 |
Depending on the platform, you either see these costs in the checkout price or pay them on delivery. Either way, small orders with many different products are hit the hardest.
How to Keep Costs Down
A few simple habits help you pay less:
- Combine identical items: several units of the same product count as one item.
- Pick EU warehouse stock: items shipped from a warehouse inside the EU don’t carry the per-item fees.
- Check the final total: compare the checkout price before you pay, not just the product price.
Paying on Temu Without a Card
Still, if you plan to shop, a Temu gift card lets you pay without a bank card. You redeem it on Rewarble and get a virtual card to use at checkout.
Redeem on Rewarble
Temu Gift Card USD
Choose 50 or 100 USD, or any amount from 30 to 250 USD. Use the virtual card at Temu checkout.
Buy Temu Gift CardOur guide on how to pay on Temu without a bank card explains every step.
Paying on AliExpress Without a Card
AliExpress works the same way. An AliExpress payment card gives you a prepaid virtual card for checkout. Besides the euro card, you can also choose the USD card or the GBP card, depending on your account currency.
For euro accounts
AliExpress Payment Card EUR
A prepaid card for AliExpress orders in euros. No bank card needed.
Buy AliExpress Payment Card
