International Trade News February 2026
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🇫🇷 France: €2 Handling Fee per Tariff Code
Effective: 1st March 2026
France has confirmed a €2 handling fee per tariff code for H7 (simplified electronic) customs declarations.
Applies to imports cleared into:
France, Monaco, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion Island
Collection depends on IOSS/VAT status:
- French IOSS or French VAT holders declare and pay via VAT
- Non-French IOSS holders must register and pay separately
- Other shipments may be collected from the consignee
Impact: €2 per tariff code now applies to H7 clearances into the above territories.
🇹🇷 Turkey: €30 De Minimis Threshold Removed
Effective: 6th February 2026
Turkey has abolished its €30 de minimis threshold.
Since 6th February 2026:
- All shipments, regardless of value, require formal customs clearance
- Clearance must be completed via a licensed customs broker
Expected impact:
- Brokerage fees on all shipments
- Delivery delays during early implementation
- Higher refusal rates on low-value goods
- No operational changes required, but customer impact is expected
✈️ 2026 IATA Dangerous Goods Updates
The 2026 regulations from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) introduce updates to lithium battery shipping and documentation requirements.
Key changes:
- Lithium-ion batteries (PI966) must ship at ≤30% State of Charge
- Higher SoC requires approval from authorities
- Amended packing requirements for lithium metal batteries (PI969 Section II)
- Lithium battery caution mark must align with other dangerous goods labels (where space allows)
- “Subsidiary Hazard” wording now mandatory on Shipper’s Declarations
- 24-hour emergency telephone number expected
The Silent Killer of International Growth: Complexity
International growth rarely fails because of demand. It fails because of complexity.
In our latest article for @ChannelX, we explore why complexity is the silent killer of international growth; and why simplifying your delivery and cross-border model is the real competitive advantage: https://channelx.world/2026/02/the-silent-killer-of-international-growth-complexity/
GCC Countries: Ramadan & Eid Update
Please note that during Ramadan, minor clearance and delivery delays of up to 24 hours may occur across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to increased volumes and local observances.
Eid dates are yet to be confirmed, but operations are typically paused for the first 1–2 days (currently expected around 19–20 March). We will provide an update once Eid dates are confirmed.
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