Italy is taking a firm position in the growing European debate over "small parcel" (low-value) cross-border e-commerce. As part of its upcoming budget measures, the Italian government is moving toward introducing a €2 levy on every small parcel imported from outside the European Union with a declared value of up to €150.
The measure is explicitly framed as a response to the rapid growth of ultra-low-cost imports, frequently associated with significant non-EU marketplaces operating at massive scale. Its timing, just ahead of the peak holiday shopping season, places Italy at the center of a broader discussion about fairness, enforcement, and sustainability in European e-commerce.
Over the past few years, European customs authorities have faced an unprecedented surge in low-value parcels shipped directly to consumers from outside the EU. These shipments often benefit from simplified customs treatment, limited inspection, and lower administrative costs.
Italy, like several other EU member states, argues that this model creates structural imbalances:
The proposed levy is intended to introduce a minimum fiscal contribution per shipment, regardless of the product's value.
The planned contribution would cover:
According to government estimates, the levy could generate over €120 million in its first year, with revenues increasing as volumes continue to grow. Beyond fiscal impact, the measure is intended to act as a corrective signal to the market.
Although the levy is being introduced at the national level, Italy’s position closely aligns with ongoing EU-wide customs and e-commerce reforms.
At the European level, policymakers are already discussing:
Italy has publicly supported accelerating these reforms, arguing that national measures should not lag behind market realities. In this sense, the €2 levy can be seen as both a domestic policy tool and a political signal to Brussels.
For the e-commerce ecosystem, especially during the holiday season, the practical effects could be significant.
On inexpensive items, a flat €2 charge represents a meaningful percentage increase, potentially altering consumer purchasing behavior and price competitiveness.
Additional fees often accompany new handling, declaration, or collection processes, which can affect delivery times and the customer experience during peak periods.
Platforms built around ultra-frequent, low-value shipments may need to rethink pricing, bundling, and EU-based fulfillment options to remain competitive.
Italian industry groups, particularly in fashion and retail, have broadly welcomed the proposal, viewing it as a step toward restoring competitive balance. They argue that the levy complements, rather than replaces, broader regulatory enforcement on product safety and fair competition.
Critics, however, caution that consumer prices may rise and that national measures risk fragmentation if not fully harmonized at the EU level.
As negotiations around Italy’s budget continue, attention will remain focused on whether the levy is implemented as planned and how quickly similar measures may follow elsewhere in Europe.
For merchants, marketplaces, and logistics providers, Italy’s move reinforces a clear trend: the era of frictionless, ultra-low-value cross-border e-commerce into the EU is coming under sustained regulatory pressure. The holiday season may only be the first real test of how these changes reshape European online retail.
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