This Week in Freight & Ports — Brussels (#25, 2026)
EU e-commerce duty for low-value parcels enters force; Germany granted reduced electricity tax for shore-supplied vessels; Parliament and Council seal road toll deal for low-emission trucks.
June 28, 2026 to July 04, 2026
EU e-commerce duty for low-value parcels enters force; Germany granted reduced electricity tax for shore-supplied vessels; Parliament and Council seal road toll deal for low-emission trucks.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
European Commission
Commission approves €402 million Spanish aid for road transport amid fuel price surge
The European Commission has approved a €402 million Spanish State aid scheme targeting road transport companies impacted by higher fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The scheme was notified under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026 and applicable until 31 December 2026. Aid will be distributed in the form of direct grants, covering up to 70% of additional fuel costs for qualifying professional operators from 1 March to 30 June 2026 or, for others, up to €50,000 per company through 31 December 2026. The Commission assessed the scheme under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and found it in line with METSAF requirements, citing its temporary and proportionate nature and its targeted support to an exposed economic sector.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1022 on the new €3 customs duty for low-value e-commerce goods
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1022, published 1 July 2026, amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 with new definitions and customs declaration rules related to the temporary €3 customs duty on imported goods in consignments valued up to €150. The Regulation introduces data elements on product identifiers for control purposes, clarifies declarant responsibilities, and aligns declaration requirements across H1, H6 and H7 customs processes. The provisions enter into force on 1 July 2026, with certain elements deferred to 1 November 2026 to align with broader EU customs reform.
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1440 authorises Germany to apply reduced shore-side electricity tax for vessels in ports
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1440, adopted 25 June 2026, authorises Germany to maintain a reduced excise tax rate on electricity provided directly to vessels—excluding private pleasure craft—berthed in ports. Applicable from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029, the measure seeks to incentivise use of shore-side electricity as a less polluting alternative to on-board generation from bunker fuels. Germany must ensure the minimum taxation level set in Article 10(1) of Directive 2003/96/EC is respected.
EU Council
Upcoming: Transport and industry ministers to discuss competitiveness in the Internal Market
The Competitiveness Council is scheduled for an informal meeting of ministers responsible for the internal market and industry on 9 July 2026.
EP Committee Work
TRAN Committee reaches provisional deal on toll reductions for low-emission trucks and buses
The European Parliament's Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee announced on 30 June 2026 a provisional agreement aligning EU road toll rules with new CO2 targets for trucks and buses. The deal introduces differentiated toll reductions—up to 75%—for low-emission vehicles until June 2031, with continued reductions thereafter. Negotiations between Parliament, led by rapporteur Matteo Ricci (S&D, IT), and the Council, acknowledged implementation challenges and agreed to postpone decisions on the role of trailers until after a European Commission assessment due by June 2029. The agreement must be formally approved by both institutions.
