Canada Post has announced the suspension of postal services to certain European Union countries due to new customs regulations for low-value shipments. The postal service indicated on its website that it will not be accepting packages bound for twelve EU countries until further notice, including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Spain.
Shipments to other EU destinations where the Delivered Duties Unpaid agreement is feasible, such as Poland, Latvia, and Sweden, will continue to be accepted by Canada Post. The postal service also expressed its commitment to finding compliant solutions for the affected markets.
The European Union recently implemented a three-euro customs duty on parcels valued at 150 euros or less from non-EU countries, equating to approximately $240. This duty replaces the previous duty-free status for such low-value packages, with the EU stating that the old rule no longer aligns with current online purchasing trends.
In 2025, the EU received 5.9 billion low-value packages, accounting for 97% of all imported items. The EU highlighted concerns about undervalued or falsely declared parcels, emphasizing the need for fair competition and consumer protection. The new customs duty is described as a temporary measure, with plans to introduce a revised taxation system based on product value, origin, and tariff classification starting July 1, 2028.
Last year, the U.S. also eliminated its long-standing de minimis exemption for packages under $800, citing security risks associated with insufficient customs inspections. Canada maintains its own low-value package exemption for customs duties on shipments from Mexico and the U.S. valued at $150 or below.
