New customs rules are visibly changing how e-commerce parcels enter Europe. In its third-quarter 2026 update, PostNL reported that international volumes, mainly from Asian webshops, were down almost 32%. The company attributes most of the decline to customs rules in force since 1 July.
At the same time, intra-European e-commerce volumes in PostNL's Platforms segment grew by more than 40%. That growth did not fully offset the decline in Asian volumes and European mail, but it does show that parcel flows within Europe are gaining weight. These are PostNL company figures, not a complete measurement of the European market.
For sellers outside the European Union, direct shipment of each order has become more expensive and administratively demanding. This may lead to changed prices, a smaller range or a different logistics route. One alternative is to import products in larger batches, store them in a European warehouse and then ship each sale as an intra-European order.
That shift changes warehouse operations. Inventory has to be purchased earlier and cleared correctly. Product codes, origin, value and other customs data need to be accurate before inbound receipt. In return, final delivery can become more predictable and border costs do not arise again for every consumer order.
Holding stock in Europe is not automatically cheaper. It adds storage, working-capital needs, unsold inventory risk and returns. Compare at least two chain scenarios: direct shipping per order and bulk import with local fulfilment. Include transport, import costs, administration, delivery time, returns handling and inventory risk.