News for importers: EU–Asia customs, VAT, regulation and logistics
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12 items in the archive · Every week we verify changes in customs, taxes, regulations and logistics between the EU and Asia. Each item lists its source and the date from which the change applies.
The Drewry World Container Index rose 3% to USD 4,485 per 40' container on 15 October 2026; Shanghai–Rotterdam gained 6% to USD 3,522 and Shanghai–Genoa 7% to USD 3,945. Carriers are trying to push FAK rates of USD 4,500–4,800 on Asia–Europe from 19 October, though with capacity growing it is unclear whether they will hold; most lines are returning via Suez in October, which shortens transit. If you are planning shipments ahead of Christmas and Chinese New Year, book space now and have your forwarder confirm the routing and transit time.
On 12 October 2026 the Slovak Financial Administration confirmed that for distance sales from outside the EU, customs will collect a non-refundable handling fee of €2 per customs-declaration item when goods are released for free circulation, regardless of value. Unlike the temporary €3 flat duty, it also applies to consignments above €150. The authority also warns that an amount labelled “duty” paid to the seller or platform does not necessarily settle the customs debt, which arises only when the declaration is accepted and is paid to the customs office. Importers and online shops should build the fee into prices and carrier contracts.
On 5 October 2026 the European Commission published the CBAM certificate price for Q3 2026: €82.32 per tonne of CO₂, up from €75.28 in Q2. The price is the weighted average of EU ETS auctions from 1 July to 30 September and applies to the embedded emissions of iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity imported in that quarter. Certificates go on sale on the common central platform from February 2027, and the first declaration with surrender of certificates for 2026 is due by 30 September 2027; the Commission will publish the Q4 price on 4 January 2027. Importers should already factor the CBAM cost into this year's order calculations.
Regulation (EU) 2026/2108 and the Commission delegated act of 21 Sept 2026 introduce a €2 charge per item on goods sold online from outside the EU. Member states must collect it from 1 November 2026 at the latest; the importer (seller or marketplace) pays it, not the customer. National customs authorities are still clarifying the 'per item' vs 'per parcel' reading.
Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382 abolished the customs duty relief for consignments up to €150. For distance sales from third countries, a temporary flat duty of €3 per customs item (type of goods), not per parcel, applies until 1 July 2028. Normal tariff rates apply after that.
The VAT Act amendment (Act No. 385/2025 Coll.) requires structured electronic invoices to be issued and received between domestic VAT payers from 1 Jan 2027, delivered via the Peppol network. 2026 is a voluntary test phase. Companies should check that their accounting system supports the format and delivery.
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste applies directly in all member states. Importers must keep the packaging declaration of conformity (5 years for single-use, 10 years for reusable) and produce it within 10 days on request. Recyclability, labelling and minimisation requirements phase in through 2030.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) covers imports of iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. Since 1 Jan 2026 only an authorised CBAM declarant may import goods above 50 tonnes per year. Certificates go on sale on 1 Feb 2027 and the first declaration for 2026, with certificate surrender, is due by 30 Sept 2027.
After two postponements, the obligations apply to large and medium companies from 30 Dec 2026 and to micro and small companies from 30 June 2027. It covers wood, paper, furniture, rubber, coffee, cocoa, palm oil, soy and cattle, including derived products. Importers need a due diligence statement with geolocation of origin.
The autumn Canton Fair in Guangzhou runs in three five-day phases: 15–19 Oct (electronics, machinery, industrial goods), 23–27 Oct (household goods, building materials, furniture) and 31 Oct–4 Nov (textiles, footwear, food, health). Suppliers often respond more slowly during these dates and sample production takes longer.
Spot rates from China to Northern Europe have fallen about 30 % since July and about 40 % to the Mediterranean; the Drewry WCI stood at USD 4,434 per 40' container on 1 Oct. Most carriers are preparing to return via the Red Sea and Suez from November, cutting transit times by 10–14 days. Rate increases are announced for the second half of October, so fixing prices earlier pays off.
In July 2026 China's Ministry of Commerce barred 14 European companies from receiving dual-use goods in response to EU sanctions; Chinese exporters must apply for an exemption for such customers. At the talks on 9 Oct 2026 China committed to keep fast-tracking rare earth export licences for European buyers. The controls remain in force, so expect longer lead times for magnets, electronics and machinery.
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