Canada Post has announced the suspension of services to select European Union countries due to new customs regulations for low-value shipments. The postal service stated on its website that it is currently not accepting parcels bound for twelve countries until further notice, including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Spain.
Shipments to other EU countries will continue, where the Delivered Duties Unpaid shopping agreement is feasible, such as in Poland, Latvia, and Sweden. Canada Post also mentioned that it is actively working on implementing compliant solutions in the affected markets.
Recently, the European Union introduced a three-euro customs duty on parcels valued at 150 euros or less coming from outside the bloc, equivalent to about $240. This new duty replaces the previous duty-free status for low-value packages, as the EU aims to address undervaluation, false declarations, customs fraud, and environmental concerns associated with mass shipping.
The EU noted that the new measure is temporary, with plans to tax imports based on value, origin, and product classification starting from July 1, 2028. The United States took a similar step last year by eliminating its long-standing de minimis exemption for packages under $800, citing the need to enhance customs inspections to prevent illegal substances from entering the country undetected.
Canada also has its own low-value package exemption for customs duties for shipments from Mexico and the U.S. valued at $150 or lower, aligning with the changing global customs landscape.
