The Dutch government has postponed plans to introduce a handling fee on non-EU ecommerce parcels, reports American Shipper.

Secretary of state for tax affairs Eugene Heijne said the move followed uncertainty over whether neighbouring countries such as Belgium and Luxembourg would implement similar charges.

The Netherlands had feared that unilateral action would divert more e-commerce traffic through Schiphol if other states imposed fees.

In December, EU member states agreed to introduce a temporary EUR3 (US$3.50) customs duty per item on parcels valued below EUR150 from July 2026.

Dutch air cargo and logistics groups welcomed the EU-wide approach, warning that a unilateral levy would damage Schiphol's competitiveness and burden forwarders and carriers with short-notice system changes.

Mr Heijne said he would continue monitoring flows and the potential impact of handling fees in neighbouring countries.

The EU duty is intended as an urgent solution to rising e-commerce imports until the EU Customs Data Hub is established in 2028.

The bloc will also remove the exemption allowing parcels under EUR150 to enter duty-free, with the measure now set to apply in 2026 rather than 2028.