EU's €3 Small Parcel Fee Kicks In, US Trans-Pacific Rates Surge, Ringgit Holds at 4.04: Must-Read for Malaysian Importers Today

Daily Industry Briefing

Three stories today: the EU's €3 small parcel tariff, effective July 1st, has already pushed down Chinese small-parcel volumes at Liège Airport in Belgium by 53%, and platform shipping structures are shifting; trans-Pacific spot rates from Shanghai to New York have surged to US$9,587 per 40ft container—nearly triple the same period last year—as capacity and containers continue to be diverted to US routes; the ringgit is consolidating in a narrow range around 4.04, with the overnight policy rate held at 2.75%, meaning USD-denominated freight costs converted to ringgit remain temporarily favorable.

Today's Top Three

1. EU's €3 Small Parcel Fee Takes Effect: Chinese Small Parcels at Liège Airport Down 53% YoY

Starting July 1, 2026, the EU imposes a flat €3 tariff on parcels valued at €150 or less, replacing the previous duty-free treatment.

Bloomberg · 2026-09-03 · Read Original ↗

2. Peak Season Rush on US Routes Pushes Shanghai-New York Spot Rates to $9,587/40ft

Drewry's WCI Shanghai-New York rate rose 3% week-on-week, settling at US$9,587 per 40ft container, nearly triple the US$3,677 seen in the same period last year.

The Loadstar · 2026-09-04 · Read Original ↗

3. Ringgit Consolidates Around 4.04, OPR Held at 2.75%, Focus Shifts to September 11 US CPI

Analysts expect the ringgit to trade in a narrow range around 4.04 in the near term, with movements largely driven by the US dollar and US interest rate expectations.

BusinessToday Malaysia · 2026-09-05 · Read Original ↗

HASTE Insights

EU charging by 'product category', US route rush absorbing capacity, ringgit at 4.04—all three are rewriting the landed cost of your shipments

The EU's €3 charge isn't per parcel—it's per product category based on 6-digit HS codes: 10 pairs of identical socks incur just €3, but switch to 5 wool pairs plus 5 cotton pairs and it becomes €6. This rule penalizes the 'stuff a dozen SKUs into one parcel' approach, and explains why Chinese small parcels at Liège Airport fell 53% year-over-year in July, with French customs figures showing an overall 30% to 40% decline. Malaysia doesn't have a fixed fee charged by category, but with the EU's €150 duty-free threshold now effectively closed off, Chinese factories and platforms will increasingly shift their shipping focus toward ASEAN—meaning small parcel and LCL volumes from South China to Port Klang will only get more congested, not less, in the near term.

This is a condensed version. The full briefing, with every key point, the cost comparison table and the recommended actions, is published on the Haste website:

Read the full analysis, with data table and action points →

All data cited in this article comes from public reports and is for reference only. It does not constitute tax, customs declaration, or investment advice. Actual taxes and freight rates are subject to customs regulations and same-day quotations.