Global trade is changing fast and if you export to the EU, the coming changes under European Union (EU) Customs Reform 2026 matter a lot. The new regulations will reshape how non-EU exporters declare, ship, and price their goods. For freight forwarders and supply-chain players, understanding “challenges for freight forwarders in Latin America and beyond” isn’t enough; you also need to know how overhauling customs rules will affect cross-border operations, compliance, and competitiveness. The EU Customs Reform 2026 promises to bring stricter controls, new data requirements, and tougher duty regimes for non-EU exporters. At the same time, it offers an opportunity: freight forwarders who adapt through robust documentation, careful duty calculation, and collaboration with reliable partners can help their clients navigate smoother, more secure trade into the EU. Here’s how.
What changes with EU Customs Reform 2026
One of the most significant adjustments under the reform concerns the removal of the long-standing €150 threshold for low-value imports. Under the existing arrangement, many goods entering the EU from non-EU countries often via e-commerce or small shipments, have been exempt from customs duties if their value is under €150. As part of the overhaul, this exemption will disappear. From 2026 onward, all consignments entering the EU, regardless of value, will be subject to customs duties.
Under the new framework, small parcels, even those with minimal value, will face duty assessments. Until the full system goes live, the EU is expected to implement a temporary handling or customs fee for low-value consignments, perhaps a flat rate per parcel. The full modernization component comes with the planned launch of the EU Customs Data Hub, expected around 2028. This centralized digital platform will replace fragmented national systems and allow customs authorities across the EU to process entry declarations, duty calculations, risk assessments, and compliance checks in a unified environment. Finally, the reform aims to streamline duty calculation. Instead of hundreds or thousands of tariff categories, the new regime will use a simplified classification system, reducing complexity for both importers and customs authorities, which should speed up clearance while ensuring compliance.
What these changes mean for non-EU exporters and forwarders
For businesses exporting from Latin America or other non-EU regions, the implications are significant. The removal of the €150 customs duty exemption means even low-value consignments will no longer bypass duty charges. That alters cost structures, pricing strategies, and shipment viability for smaller clients. Forwarders will need to advise exporters early: duty calculation becomes unavoidable, and any cost advantage previously taken for granted may disappear. Freight forwarders must also adapt operations to meet new EU customs rules for non-EU exporters. That means more thorough documentation, classification of goods, and accurate data submission. Mistakes or omissions can lead to delays, fines, or shipment rejections. With the upcoming Data Hub and tighter compliance checks, there’s little room for error.
Moreover, the transition introduces EU customs duty changes that could complicate forecasting and quoting for shipments. Forwarders will need to factor duties from the first euro, even on small or low-value packages. That may pressure margins, especially in competitive sectors or price-sensitive goods. On the flipside, once the Data Hub is operational, consignments could clear faster and more predictably, provided forwarders and exporters comply with data and documentation rules. Reduced complexity in duty classification may also simplify operations in the long run. For those who prepare proactively, this can become a competitive advantage.
How to prepare for EU Customs Reform 2026: Best practices for freight forwarders
If you want to stay ahead under the new regime, here are some practical steps to consider. First, start auditing your current client portfolio. Identify shipments that regularly rely on the low-value exemption. Re-price or renegotiate contracts if necessary. Communicating upcoming duty obligations early will help avoid surprises.
Second, implement stronger compliance and documentation procedures. Accurate, standardized classification of goods will matter more than ever. Maintain detailed product descriptions, HS codes, values even for small parcels. Begin updating internal systems now so you are ready when the Data Hub launches.
Third, prepare for new EU customs data requirements for forwarders: export documentation, Entry Summary Declarations, pre-arrival data, and possibly new handling or customs fees. Offer this service to clients as part of your value-added package.
Fourth, train your team and possibly collaborate with customs consultants or local agents. Missteps under the new rules could result in delays or fines. A well-prepared forwarder who knows the rules will be more attractive to exporters seeking reliability.
Finally, position yourself as a strategic partner to exporters from non-EU regions: help them understand costs, timelines, compliance burdens, and documentation needs. Good guidance will matter more than ever.
Why smart forwarders who adapt will stay competitive even against global 3PLs
Some exporters may panic and look for global 3PLs that claim to already “handle EU import compliance.” But that’s where adaptable regional forwarders can win. Because they know both the origin market (Latin America, Asia, etc.) and understand the nuanced changes under EU customs reform, they can provide tailored, transparent service at competitive prices. By mastering the new customs requirements from duty calculation to accurate paperwork to early submission of data, forwarders can offer exporters reliability and clarity. In transition periods like this, that’s a strong differentiator. Forwarders who upgrade systems now, ensure compliance, and communicate clearly will earn trust and long-term business.
Moreover, once the EU Customs Data Hub is active, the simplified classification and unified system may actually reduce paperwork and clearance delays, benefiting compliant forwarders. For those ready to adapt, this could mean faster shipments and a smoother experience, something even large 3PLs might struggle to deliver with a one-size-fits-all approach.
Long-term outlook: supply-chain resilience and smarter trade strategies
Over time, the reform could reshape global trade flows. As small parcels from non-EU regions become less cost-advantageous, exporters and forwarders may consolidate shipments, concentrate on bigger orders, or shift to more predictable supply-chain models. Freight forwarders who evolve accordingly, offering consolidated shipments, complete export-import management, and compliance assurance, will be well positioned to thrive. The new customs regime may weed out unserious players or those looking for shortcuts, leaving room for reliable, professional logistics providers.
In many ways, EU Customs Reform 2026 is an opportunity disguised as a challenge. For non-EU exporters, compliance costs may rise. But for forwarders who embrace the changes, upgrade processes, and position themselves as trusted partners, the reform could bring long-term stability, better margins on larger shipments, and a chance to build loyalty through dependability.
EU Customs Reform 2026 marks a fundamental shift in how non-EU exporters access the European market. The abolition of the €150 threshold, new data requirements, and simplified duty classification under the EU Customs Data Hub will demand more diligence, accuracy, and operational readiness. For freight forwarders, this means heavier responsibility and a real opportunity.
By preparing now, aligning documentation and pricing, and offering exporting clients clarity and compliance, forwarders can turn “how to prepare for EU customs reform 2026” into a competitive advantage. Those who adapt will be the ones shaping the future of trade between Latin America (and other exporting regions) and the EU.