2026 Leaders Interview – Paweł Zakielarz – Shopreturns
EU introduces €3 import fee on all packages starting 2026, eliminating de minimis threshold. UK sellers face double duty issues and increased return costs when shipping to EU post-Brexit.
Fashion and high-return categories will see margin compression from both the €3 fee and complex return logistics. Consider EU fulfillment centers or marketplace programs that handle VAT/duties to maintain competitiveness.
Part of broader regulatory shift eliminating low-value import exemptions globally, forcing cross-border sellers to choose between margin compression or local fulfillment infrastructure.
Use Shop Returns' €3 EU cost calculator to model impact on your current UK-to-EU shipments and identify break-even thresholds.
Evaluate Amazon Pan-EU or similar marketplace programs that handle EU compliance versus direct shipping from UK in next 30 days.
Bottom Line
€3 EU import fee means UK sellers need EU fulfillment strategy.
Source Lens
Industry Context
Useful background context, but lower-priority than direct platform, community, or operator intelligence.
Impact Level
medium
€3 EU import fee means UK sellers need EU fulfillment strategy.
Key Stat / Trigger
€3 EU import fee on all packages effective 2026
Focus on the operational implication, not just the headline.
Full Coverage
Welcome to the ChannelX 2026 Leaders Interview featuring Paweł Zakielarz, Founder at Shopreturns. Shopreturns offer hassle-free international returns for shoppers and online stores and this for the UK has become just one of the post-Brexit challenges of cross border trade.
In this interview with Paweł we talked though what changed after Brexit, changes taking place this year, and selling on both marketplaces and your own webstore from the UK to the EU, including practical steps to mitigate the challenges and make selling to the EU profitable.
In this video you will find: 00:00 Introducing Paweł Zakielarz and Shop Returns 03:14 What changed after Brexit 04:57 The pain point for the Fashion Industry 06:17 The double duty issue impacting margin 08:47 Shipping DPP 10:12 Removal of De Minimis in the EU and around the world 11:06 €3 EU and how it will be applied 16:24 Holding stock in the UK vs shipping item by item 18:18 Selling on marketplaces from UK to EU 21:30 Selling on your own platform Links Paweł Zakielarz (LinkedIn) Shop Returns €3 EU Import fee cost calculator
Original Source
This briefing is based on reporting from Tamebay. Use the original post for full primary-source context.
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Audience