Austria imposes 2‑euro parcel levy on large online sellers
Austria introduced a national levy of 2 euros per parcel for large online sellers, effective 1 October, as announced by the Austrian government, applying to stores and marketplaces with over 100 million euros in annual sales to Austrian customers. The measure is expected to impact roughly 4,000 Austrian online sellers, according to the Austrian Retail Association, which represents the country’s brick‑and‑mortar and e‑commerce traders. The association warns the levy could cost nearly 3,000 jobs and cut GDP by 360 million euros each year.
The levy sits alongside the EU’s existing 3‑euro charge per product category on small consignments from outside the bloc, which began on 1 July, and a forthcoming 2‑euro handling fee per customs declaration line set for November. The Austrian Economic Chamber notes that a 20 percent VAT is typically added to the 2‑euro levy, bringing the total cost to 2.40 euros per parcel. Large players such as Amazon, Otto, Refurbed and Zalando have previously objected to the measure, citing concerns about competitiveness. Smaller and medium‑sized businesses will also feel indirect effects, as roughly one in three domestic online stores uses marketplaces that fall under the levy’s threshold.
“All in all, this absurd levy will cost us almost 3,000 jobs and reduce GDP by 360 million euros annually,” Rainer Will said.
The Austrian levy is separate from the EU’s 3‑euro charge per product category on small consignments from outside the bloc, which took effect on 1 July, and the EU will add a 2‑euro handling fee per customs declaration line from November. Large Austrian ecommerce companies have long struggled to compete with international giants, and cross‑border buying remains a concern.
What we know
Austria introduced a national levy of 2 euros per parcel for large online sellers, effective 1 October.
The levy applies to online stores and marketplaces with over 100 million euros in annual sales to Austrian customers.
Approximately 4,000 Austrian online sellers are affected by the levy.
The levy could cost nearly 3,000 jobs and reduce GDP by 360 million euros annually.
Adding a 20 percent VAT to the 2‑euro levy brings the total cost to 2.40 euros per parcel.