From July, online shopping in Czechia will change significantly, especially for those buying products from platforms outside the European Union such as Temu, Shein, or AliExpress. The main change concerns parcels arriving from non-EU countries: low-value shipments will no longer benefit from the current customs exemption. Many consumers will notice the change directly on the checkout screen, where the final price may increase compared with the past.
New EUR 3 Customs Fee on Non-EU Parcels
The new rule introduces a flat customs fee of EUR 3, roughly CZK 75, on each product category included in a shipment. VAT will also be added on top of this amount. This means that buying inexpensive items from non-EU online stores may become less convenient, even when the initial product price remains very low.
The fee will not be applied simply per parcel, but according to the items inside the shipment. For example, a EUR 5 phone case may generate only one fee. However, an order containing a T-shirt, headphones, and a phone case may generate three separate charges, even if all the items arrive in the same box.
Why the Final Price of Online Purchases May Increase
Until now, many buyers in Czechia were used to ordering products from non-EU websites while relying on low prices, free or almost free shipping, and import costs that were often minimal or difficult to predict. From July, the calculation of the final price for online purchases will become more detailed.
The total cost will no longer depend only on the value of the parcel, but also on the type of products contained inside it. This change may make mixed orders with several items from different categories more expensive. In some cases, the new customs fees and VAT may have a significant impact on the final price, especially for low-value purchases.
New Cancellation Right for Online Purchases in the EU
Alongside the higher costs for non-EU parcels, a new rule is also arriving to make life easier for European consumers. Most online retailers selling to customers in the European Union will be required to offer a clearly visible digital withdrawal function.
In practice, e-commerce websites will need to provide a button to cancel an online purchase, without forcing customers to send emails, call customer service, or search for complicated procedures inside their account.
Online Shopping in Czechia: Higher Costs, but More Consumer Rights
The new rules on online shopping in Czechia move in two different directions. On one hand, buying products from non-EU online stores may become more expensive because of the EUR 3 customs fee and VAT. On the other hand, consumers will have a simpler tool to cancel an online purchase.
The real change will not only be in the regulation itself, but in the everyday shopping experience: from the moment users click “buy” to the delivery of the parcel at home. For those who often shop online from international platforms, from July it will be even more important to check the final price carefully before confirming an order.
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