Comic collectors in the European Union should be aware of a new customs fee that will affect many imported comic books and other low-value merchandise shipped from outside the EU.
Beginning July 1, the European Union has introduced a €3 customs processing fee on low-value e-commerce imports that previously entered the EU duty-free. While the measure is aimed primarily at large online retailers importing inexpensive goods from China, it also impacts independent comic publishers, crowdfunding campaigns, and online comic retailers that ship directly to customers in EU member countries.
The fee is charged per customs classification within a shipment. Multiple comic books shipped together are generally expected to fall under the same customs category, so a single €3 fee typically applies. However, combining comics with merchandise such as T-shirts, toys, or other products could result in additional fees if those items require separate customs classifications.
EU officials say the new charge is intended to address the dramatic increase in low-value imports entering Europe. Shipments qualifying for the duty-free exemption have grown from approximately 1.4 billion parcels in 2022 to 5.8 billion parcels in 2025, prompting concerns that the exemption was being exploited to undercut European businesses.
For comic publishers and Kickstarter creators, the biggest impact will likely be on direct shipments to European backers. Many publishers are expected to pass the additional customs processing cost on to customers rather than absorb it themselves.
The €3 processing charge is considered a temporary measure. The European Union plans to replace it with a new customs system featuring category-specific duties beginning July 1, 2028, when the new EU Customs Authority is scheduled to begin operations.
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