FW Desk News
FreightWatch.News
Monday, October 19, 2026
European retailers face pressure to reconsider cross-border supply chain strategies as new customs charges take effect. A €2 handling fee per product category launches November 1, compounding a €3 duty introduced in July on parcels valued at €150 or less. A three-category shipment now faces €15 in charges before transport and clearance costs. Industry advisors expect brands to begin shifting inventory strategies during 2027 planning cycles rather than immediately. Freighter capacity between China and Europe fell 20 percent year-over-year between mid-September and mid-October, though it rebounded 27 percent in the following week. These combined pressures strengthen the financial case for European warehousing and local fulfilment as alternatives to direct cross-border shipments.
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