The controversial €3 customs duty on low-value online purchases from platforms such as Temu and Shein is expected to be replaced by a different system from July 2028, according to a letter sent by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Maltese MEP Peter Agius.The development follows a letter Agius sent in June, raising concerns about the impact of the charge on Maltese consumers, particularly those already facing high delivery costs due to Malta’s island location.In her reply, written in Maltese, von der Leyen confirmed that the €3 duty is intended as a temporary measure, pending the introduction of the EU’s reformed customs system.From July 2028, a new EU Customs Data Hub is expected to enable duties to be calculated according to the value, origin and tariff classification of imported goods, rather than the current flat-rate approach.Importantly, von der Leyen also clarified that legal responsibility for paying the €3 duty falls on platforms and operators supplying the goods, rather than directly on consumers.However, this does not necessarily mean shoppers will be shielded from higher prices if businesses pass on the costs.The Commission President defended the changes, arguing that the previous €150 customs exemption placed European retailers at a disadvantage compared with non-EU online shopping platforms.She noted that nearly 5.9 billion low-value items entered the EU in 2025.Agius welcomed the indication of a target date for the new system but warned that Maltese consumers could still face higher costs in the meantime.He argued that shopping from European retailers can involve considerably higher delivery charges to Malta than ordering from Chinese platforms.The MEP is also proposing EU-backed measures to help Maltese businesses offer cheaper deliveries on purchases from European sellers.While the 2028 reform could change how customs duties are calculated, it does not mean all taxes or charges on Temu and Shein purchases will disappear.•