Forwarding, Freight News, Logistics


End of de minimis reshapes supply chains

[ August 18, 2026   //   ]

Hong Kong based forwarder the U-Freight Group says that EU importers and international e-commerce businesses are adapting their shipping processes following the European Union’s abolition of the €150 duty-free threshold which came into effect on 1 July.

Such shipments are now subject to a charge of €3 per commodity code contained within each parcel and is expected to remain in force until at least 1 July 2028 as part of the EU’s wider customs reform programme.

Chief executive Simon Wong, says that in several key European markets, including Spain, France and Poland, locally fulfilled e-commerce orders have now overtaken direct cross-border shipments, reflecting a growing preference for forward-deployed inventory and regional distribution.

U-Freight believes that establishing inventory within Europe offers businesses a practical long-term solution by positioning stock closer to customers, minimising border costs while strengthening supply chain resilience.

“Forward positioning inventory within Europe is becoming a competitive necessity rather than simply an operational option,” added Wong. “Regional fulfilment enables businesses to improve delivery speeds, reduce customs-related uncertainty and maintain a seamless customer experience while remaining fully compliant with the latest EU requirements.”

U-Freight is encouraging businesses exporting to the EU to review their shipping profiles, evaluate product classifications, assess the financial impact of the new customs charges and consider whether regional fulfilment strategies could improve efficiency and reduce overall logistics costs.

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