2026 brought a lot of change: the EAEU rewrote how parcel duty is calculated, the EU added a €3 duty on small parcels, Israel went back to its old threshold, and Ukraine is moving to scrap its €150 limit. Here it all is in one table.
Limits table (as of October 2026)
| Country | Duty-free limit | What you pay above it |
|---|---|---|
| Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan (EAEU) | €200 per parcel for online purchases; no 31 kg cap since July 1, 2026 | 5% of the full value, minimum €1 per kg; plus VAT in Kazakhstan |
| Ukraine | €150 per parcel | 10% duty + 20% VAT on the excess. A bill removing the threshold for marketplace purchases passed first reading on 9/16/2026 |
| EU (Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, France, etc.) | VAT applies from the first euro (since 2021) | Since July 1, 2026: flat €3 duty per item type in e-commerce parcels under €150, temporary until 2028 |
| United Kingdom | No customs duty up to £135; gifts up to £39 are VAT-free | VAT, plus duty above £135 |
| Israel | $75 (lowered back from $150 on June 2, 2026) | 18% VAT; duties too on expensive parcels |
| Mexico | About $50 by courier | Simplified flat rate up to $1,000; above that, a customs broker is required |
| Uzbekistan | Own limits for individuals, revised in 2025–2026 | Single customs payment of 30%, planned to drop to 20% in 2027 |
What to keep in mind
A purchase is not a gift. Most of the new 2026 rules target e-commerce: orders from Amazon, eBay, Temu and so on. Person-to-person parcels (you sending your own things or a gift to family) are often handled under separate rules. That's why the customs form should say honestly what it is: gift, personal effects or merchandise.
Real value counts. Customs goes by the receipt or market value. Under-declaring is a common cause of delays, and if the parcel is lost, insurance only covers the declared value.
Per parcel, mostly. In the EAEU the limit is per parcel. The EU's €3 duty is charged per item type by tariff code: two T-shirts count once, a T-shirt and sneakers count twice.
How to avoid overpaying
- If you're slightly over a limit, two separate shipments can sometimes be cheaper, but only when they're genuinely separate. Splitting just to dodge the rules gets flagged.
- Don't mix gifts and goods for resale in the same box. Commercial shipments clear differently.
- Keep receipts. If customs asks for proof of value, the parcel clears faster.
Frequently asked questions
What is the duty-free limit for parcels to Russia in 2026?
For online purchases, €200 per parcel. Since July 1, 2026 there's no 31 kg cap, and above the limit duty is 5% of the full value, minimum €1 per kg.
Has Ukraine abolished the €150 duty-free limit?
Not as of October 2026. The bill passed first reading on September 16, 2026 but isn't final.
What is the EU's €3 parcel duty?
Since July 1, 2026, the EU charges a flat €3 customs duty per item type in parcels worth under €150 bought from non-EU online sellers. It's temporary, until 2028, and VAT is charged separately.
What is Israel's duty-free limit?
$75. It was raised to $150 in early 2026, then restored to $75 on June 2, 2026.
Customs and carrier rules change often. This article is accurate as of the date above — check with us before you ship.