Last week, a small customs fee landed in the EU that may have outsized consequences. Imports of single items from outside the EU are now hit with a new €3 duty, a rule that affects a range of people including electronics hobbyists and techies who prefer their printer toner off-brand.The seller or importer is generally responsible for declaring and paying the duty, but folks who build electronics projects, among others, are concerned that the so-called "Temu tax" might lead to a broad hike in parts prices.Designed to fend off a massive explosion in single, low-value items being shipped from China, the €3 duty has applied to all parcels valued at less than €150 entering the EU since July 1.
Previously, anything that cost less than €150 fell under the "de minimis" exemption and came in duty-free. The effective scrapping of the threshold is intended to "reduce differences" in how cheap e-commerce (direct imports of single parcels up to €150) and traditional retail (bulk goods imports) are treated. It is charged per category of goods, not per parcel. So buy five USB cables, pay €3. Buy a microcontroller, a relay module, and a USB cable – that's €9 in duty that the seller/s must pay before it goes in your basket.
