Skip to main content

Important update: EU customs changes for sending start July 2026

The EU has announced the introduction of a €3 customs duty per item on low value (below €150) e-commerce parcels sent from outside the EU, starting on 1 July 2026. This is in addition to any applicable value added tax (VAT) on goods sent to the EU. This new duty will impact customers sending via both postal and commercial channels.
 
The customs duty will be applied to all goods entering the EU by non-EU sellers registered in the EU’s import one-stop shop (IOSS) for VAT purposes. The EU will regularly assess whether the duty should extend to goods entering the EU sold by traders not registered in the IOSS. 
 
Individual European countries are also developing new customs duties and rules. 
 
We are awaiting clarification on these developments and will provide an update when further information becomes available.
 
For further information, please refer to the EU website.

Businesses sending to the United States (US) and countries in the European Union (EU) must send customs information to the destination country before their items arrive. This pre-departure customs clearance ensures data is collected on all goods before they arrive. 

For safety and regulatory reasons, customs authorities are strict with what they allow into their countries. The US and EU countries require pre-departure approval of items before they leave Australia. This means Australia Post must provide electronic advance data (EAD)  to customs authorities of the destination country and receive approval that those items can be sent, before passing them to an airline for delivery.

To ensure pre-departure customs approval, you must complete a customs declaration form for most items being sent to EU countries at or before the time of lodgement or assessment.1 If this information isn’t provided, or is inaccurate or incomplete, items may be returned.

What items need a customs declaration and electronic advance data?

EU countries and the US need a completed customs declaration form and electronic advance data for the following:

  • Global Logistics
  • International Courier parcels and letters
  • International Express parcels and letters
  • International Standard parcels
  • International Economy Air parcels
  • International Economy Sea Mail parcels

Note, a customs declaration form and EAD is not required for International Economy letters.

Need help with import requirements?

  • European Union

    Understand EU requirements and Import Control System (ICS2).

  • United States

    Check our guide for postal restrictions and requirements.

What you need to do

We suggest you use a digital sending platform when lodging your goods to ensure the destination customs authority receives the required data before the item arrives.

The following sending platforms allow digital capture of electronic advance data (EAD):

  • MyPost Business
  • eParcel
  • Parcel Send
  • Shipping API
  • Shipping Platforms

You can refer to the declaration guide for support.

Your customs declaration form must include:

  • a detailed description of each item in your parcel
  • Country of Origin (COO) for each item (this refers to the country of manufacture)
  • the value of each item in your parcel
  • the correct HS tariff code for each item.

Your item may be delayed if insufficient information is supplied.

Read our FAQs for more information.

Frequently asked questions

A HS tariff code is an internationally recognised code that classifies international shipments. You enter the HS tariff number on your customs declaration form to help customs authorities assess which taxes, duties and restrictions may apply to the delivery of your goods. View international customs for more information.

You can find the HS tariff code when providing a description of your item on our online customs declaration form. Or you can view information on HS tariff numbers in our guide to completing your customs declaration.

For business customers, you can find your HS tariff number when creating an order or shipment through MyPost Business or Parcel Send.

If you’re a business customer integrated with our shipment API, you can access these codes through our Export Classification Tool.

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland1
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway1
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Switzerland1
  • Sweden

1 Included for the purposes of the European Union Import Control System (ICS2) even though these countries are not in the European Union.

International customs provides information to help you complete your customs declaration correctly. Our International post guide provides guidelines for sending to a particular country, territory or region so your item gets there without delay.

When declaring your goods on the digital customs declaration (label), you must include the receiver’s post code as well as the HS tariff code of the goods you are sending. For example, an item described as “women’s knitted linen shirt” will have the tariff code of 610690. Read our guide on customs forms and regulations for more information on completing your customs declaration.

1 Customs declaration and EAD are not required for Economy Air Letters.