Starting from July 1st, 2026, the European Union is changing the way low-value imported goods clear customs. These changes will affect parcels imported into the EU, including orders shipped from Japan through ZenMarket.
What is changing?
Until now, low-value imported shipments with a value of up to €150 could enter the EU without customs duty. This was known as the de minimis exemption.
Under the new rules, this duty-free exemption will be removed. This means that low-value shipments will no longer be exempt from customs duty simply because their value is under €150.
Instead, a flat customs duty of €3 will be introduced for low-value shipments. This duty will apply per item type, based on the item’s HS code. Please note that the value of the customs duty is not defined per parcel but per declared product category. For example, if a parcel contains several items belonging to two different customs categories, the total fee will be €6 (€3 per category).
VAT and IOSS remain separate
VAT rules are not changing.
All goods imported into the EU are already subject to VAT, regardless of their value, and this will continue to apply after the new €3 customs duty is introduced.
If VAT is charged in advance under IOSS rules for eligible low-value parcels, that process will continue separately from the new customs duty. VAT will also continue to apply regardless of the shipping method selected.
What this means for ZenMarket customers
The way the new €3 customs duty is paid may depend on the shipping method selected at checkout.
Some shipping services may allow duties to be prepaid before the parcel is shipped.* This is known as DDP, or Delivered Duty Paid. Other shipping methods may require the customer to pay duties when the parcel arrives in the destination country.
When DDP is selected, customers will also need to pay a brokerage fee. This applies to all carriers, and the exact fee depends on the respective shipping carrier.
Japan Post
- For parcels shipped with Japan Post, the €3 customs duty is not expected to be collected at ZenMarket checkout.
- Customers using Japan Post will therefore need to pay the applicable duties when the parcel arrives in their country.
ECMS Express, FedEx Low Cost, and FedEx
- For ECMS Express, FedEx Low Cost, and regular FedEx, the €3 customs duty will be collected through a DDP duty pre-payment scheme.*
- This means that customers will be required to prepay the duty before the parcel is shipped.
DHL and UPS
- For DHL and UPS, customers are expected to be able to choose whether to use DDP at checkout.
- This means customers may be able to either prepay the applicable customs duties before shipping or opt out of DDP and pay the duties when the parcel arrives.*
*Please note that for some countries the DDP is not supported. When DDP is available, it will be shown as an optional or mandatory selection on the international shipping payment screen. Availability of DDP depends on various conditions, so please check using the Shipping Fee Simulator. (If no option is displayed, DDP is not applicable.)
Conclusion
At ZenMarket, we understand that changes to customs rules can be confusing, especially when they affect the final cost and delivery process of international orders. Our priority is to keep our customers informed, prepared, and supported as these new rules are introduced.
We remain committed to making shopping from Japan as smooth and transparent as possible. We will continue to support our customers through these changes and provide updates whenever new information becomes available.