Two MEPs from the Patriots for Europe group have asked the European Commission whether it plans to exempt or reduce customs fees for cultural goods such as books and newspapers under the EU's customs reform, warning that the current design risks treating fast-fashion items and press products identically.
In a written parliamentary question submitted on 16 June 2026, Ernő Schaller-Baross and Enikő Győri note that the reform will abolish the current EUR 150 de minimis exemption for low-value consignments, but does not introduce meaningful distinctions between product categories. They argue that cultural goods are essential for access to information, media pluralism and cultural diversity, and question whether the flat-rate charges and handling fees will disproportionately affect books, newspapers and periodicals.
first, whether it intends to consider specific measures for cultural and educational goods regarding handling and administrative fees; second, whether it has taken into account existing global practices that provide customs or fee exemptions or reductions for cultural goods, in particular books and press products.
while the customs reform aims to level the playing field for EU retailers and combat undervaluation of cheap imports, it does not differentiate between low-value commercial goods and culturally significant items. If no exemption is made, a newspaper or magazine imported from outside the EU could face the same flat-rate charge as a fast-fashion garment of similar value.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it considers cultural goods a special category requiring tailored treatment, or whether it views uniform application as simpler and less prone to abuse. The outcome will affect publishers, importers of foreign-language books and periodicals, and consumers who rely on cross-border access to printed media.
Policy orientations from the question lean toward cultural protection and media pluralism, advocating for a carve-out from standard customs fees. The MEPs do not propose specific numerical thresholds or deadlines, but their reference to global practices suggests they expect the Commission to benchmark against countries that already exempt books from customs duties.