EU tax authorities warn travelers on duty-free import limits from non-EU holidays

Customs officials remind consumers that personal imports from outside the bloc are subject to strict value thresholds and VAT obligations, following the July 1 elimination of the low-value exemption.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-07-09 09:13 UTC · 1 min read

European tax authorities are issuing fresh warnings to travelers returning from holidays outside the European Union, emphasizing that duty-free allowances for personal imports remain strictly limited.

The reminders come as consumers adjust to a new regulatory landscape that has significantly tightened the rules on bringing goods into the bloc.

The Slovak tax administration, citing broader EU enforcement trends, highlighted that items purchased abroad are not automatically exempt from duties.

Travelers must declare goods exceeding specific value thresholds, and failure to do so can result in penalties or confiscation.

This guidance aims to curb informal cross-border trade that has surged since the formal end of the duty-free era for low-value shipments.

The context for these warnings is the European Commission’s decision to eliminate the customs exemption for imports valued under €150, a rule that took effect on July 1.