A major blow for Canadian shippers: Since July 1, 2026, Canada Post is temporarily suspending the acceptance of packages and mail containing goods destined for several European Union countries, including France. If you regularly send packages to Europe — whether for your customers, your online store, or your family — this suspension will make a real difference in how you ship.

The reason? New European customs regulations that took effect on July 1, 2026, which, among other things, impose a customs duty of €3 per item on low-value packages. Canada Post was not ready to provide the required data and chose to suspend the service while it adapted its systems.

Here’s what has changed, which countries are affected, and—most importantly—the practical solutions for continuing to ship your packages to Europe without interruption. The amounts listed are approximate and vary depending on the service, destination, and your agreement with the carrier.

What Changed on July 1, 2026

The European Union has ended the simplified processing of small imported packages. Two measures directly affect shipments from Canada:

• A fee of €3 per item on packages imported from outside the EU with a value not exceeding €150 (approximately 240 $ CA). This duty applies per item based on tariff classification, not per package—so a package containing four different items may be subject to multiple charges.
• Stricter Customs Data Requirements : Each shipment must be accompanied by complete and accurate electronic data even before it arrives in Europe.

These rules are part of the European customs reform that is gradually phasing out the €150 exemption—a global trend already initiated by the United States with the elimination of its «de minimis» threshold.

Which countries are affected by the suspension?

Canada Post has suspended the acceptance of shipments of goods to several EU countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Portugal, and Luxembourg. Shipments to other European destinations, such as Poland, Latvia, and Sweden, are still being accepted, as Canada Post is working to implement market-specific solutions on a market-by-market basis.

Important: The suspension applies to mail containing goods. Letters and documents with no commercial value generally continue to circulate as usual.

Who, specifically, is being penalized?

• SMEs and Online Stores who shipped to France and Europe using Canada Post's economy services, which are often the cheapest option for small, lightweight packages.
• Individuals and Expatriates who send gifts or personal belongings to their families in Europe.
• Self-Employed Workers and Artisans whose low-unit-value products are hard-pressed to cover the €3 duty per item, in addition to processing fees.

Options for Shipping Your Packages to Europe

The good news: The suspension applies to Canada Post, not private carriers. Purolator, UPS, FedEx, and DHL continue to deliver packages to Europe, because their systems already transmit the electronic customs data required by the EU.

Indicative Comparison of Options

These carriers' retail rates are higher than those of Canada Post, but a reseller or freight consolidator provides access to negotiated commercial rates—often 30 to 50 % below the prices listed at branch locations, depending on the service and destination.

How to Properly Prepare a Shipment to Europe in 2026

• Declare each item accurately : clear description, 6-digit HS code, actual unit value. Vague descriptions («gift,» «miscellaneous items») are now grounds for rejection.
• Plan on paying €3 per item in your selling prices to Europe, or group items with the same classification together to reduce the number of price lines.
• Choose the right Incoterm : With DDP (Duties Paid), your European customer won't face any unpleasant surprises upon delivery—a key factor in customer satisfaction.
• Keep an eye out for Canada Post job postings : The suspension is described as temporary, but no firm date for resuming operations has been confirmed for all countries.

Conclusion: Don't let your shipments sit around

Canada Post’s suspension of package shipments to several EU countries serves as a reminder of a key lesson from 2026: relying on a single carrier is a business risk. The new European customs rules are here to stay, and shippers who adapt—with complete customs data, DDP, and a multi-carrier strategy—will continue to sell and ship to Europe without interruption.

Need to ship a package to France or elsewhere in Europe right away? Shipping Store gives you access to major international carriers at discounted rates, with customs assistance in French. Get your quote in just a few minutes at expertshipping.ca.