NL
Anyone who has ordered spare parts or accessories for a drone via Chinese webshops such as AliExpress, Temu, or Banggood in recent days has probably noticed immediately: many products have suddenly become significantly more expensive. The price increase is the result of a new European import tax on small shipments from outside the EU, which officially came into effect on July 1, 2026.
This change in import rules primarily affects hobbyists, FPV pilots, and commercial drone operators who were used to importing cheap propellers, batteries, motors, and other small parts directly from Asia. The EU is trying to level the playing field for European sellers with this measure, but for many drone flyers, it means an unexpected cost increase.
How Does the New Tax Work?
Previously, orders with a value below €150 could enter the European Union free of import duties (customs duties). Although consumers had to pay VAT regardless of the purchase amount since the previous change in 2021, the actual import duty for small packages was thus omitted. This was known as the 'de minimis' exemption.
With the implementation of the new rules per July 1, this exemption has been completely abolished. This means that every shipment, regardless of how small or cheap it is, will now be subject to standard import duties. For electronics and drone parts, this percentage can vary considerably, but the impact on the final shopping cart price is immediately visible at checkout or, even worse, when the delivery driver is at the door with clearance costs.
Clearance Costs and Administration
In addition to the import tax itself, buyers are often confronted with extra administrative costs or clearance costs from courier services such as PostNL or DHL. If a Chinese webshop does not settle the VAT and import duties directly in the checkout (via the so-called IOSS system), the carrier may charge these costs retrospectively. On top of this is often a handling fee that in practice is sometimes higher than the value of the ordered drone part itself.
Consequences for FPV Pilots and Commercial Operators
Within the EASA frameworks, FPV (First Person View) pilots are often considered the most active tinkerers in the drone community. For building and repairing cinewhoops or freestyle drones, this group has traditionally relied heavily on Chinese suppliers. Where you could previously easily have a handful of propellers or a VTX antenna shipped over for a few euros, the new tax now forces these pilots to reconsider their purchasing strategy.
For commercial operators in the EASA Specific Category, this change can also have operational impact. Custom builds for inspections or heavy-lift operations often require specialized parts that are difficult to obtain locally. Importing these components will now not only be more expensive but possibly also slower due to customs inspections, which can increase equipment downtime.
A Level Playing Field for European Retailers
The European Commission states that the new measure is essential to combat unfair competition. European webshops, including local drone specialists, pay local taxes and must meet strict quality and safety requirements. Chinese giants were often able to dive under the cost price of European retailers through loopholes in tax legislation and heavily subsidized shipping costs.
For European drone retailers, this is good news. In recent years, they saw a lot of potential revenue disappear to platforms like AliExpress. The expectation is that drone pilots will now more often choose the certainty, fast delivery times, and local warranty conditions of a webshop within the EU, as the price difference has been drastically reduced.
In Short
The era of dirt-cheap drone parts from China seems to be definitively over with the abolition of the VAT and import duty exemption for small shipments on July 1. While this is a significant financial setback for many hobbyists and FPV flyers, it simultaneously creates a much fairer playing field for European drone retailers. For the end user, this means higher prices on platforms like AliExpress, but possibly better local availability and service in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are my AliExpress orders suddenly more expensive?
As of July 1, a new European import rule has come into effect, which abolishes the exemption for import duties on packages under €150. You now pay standard VAT and import levies on every order from outside the EU.
Does this tax only apply to drones?
No, this rule applies to all goods imported from outside the European Union, regardless of the type of product.
How do I prevent unexpected clearance costs at the door?
Ensure that the webshop where you order uses the IOSS system, which means all costs are already settled during the online payment. Alternatively, you can order your parts from European webshops, where these taxes do not apply.
Do these rules affect drones I buy within Europe?
No, if you buy your drone or parts from a webshop operating from the EU, all taxes are already included in the price and you simply pay the local VAT without extra import costs.