New EU Packaging Rules Start 12 August 2026: What Australian Exporters Need to Know

Australia's two-way trade in goods and services with the European Union reached $110.7 billion in 2025, making the bloc one of Australia's largest trading partners. From 12 August 2026, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), formally Regulation (EU) 2025/40, applies to any business placing packaged goods on the EU market, regardless of where it is based. 

For Australian exporters, the EU PPWR on e-commerce shipping comes down to one question, what packaging needs to comply, and what happens at the border if it doesn't. This article covers what the regulation changes, the compliance timeline, and the risk a non-compliant shipment carries.

   

        

   

     

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PPWR Impact on E-commerce Shipping: Quick Summary

• Applies from 12 August 2026 to any business placing packaged goods on the EU market, regardless of country of origin. Australian exporters should review packaging specifications and documentation before sending affected products to EU customers. 
• Limits empty space in grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging to a maximum 50% ratio under Article 24, taking effect 1 January 2030 or three years after the related implementing acts enter into force, whichever is later.
• Restricts the combined concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium to 100 mg/kg, and limits PFAS in food-contact packaging from 12 August 2026.
• Requires retention of the EU Declaration of Conformity and technical documentation for 5 years for single-use packaging and 10 years for reusable packaging.

Ship compliant EU-bound e-commerce orders through Couriers & Freight's global e-commerce air freight service.

What the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) Means for E-commerce Shipping

Unlike a directive, Regulation (EU) 2025/40 applies directly across all 27 EU Member States and establishes a common framework for packaging placed on the Union market. The PPWR applies from 12 August 2026, although individual requirements have different application dates.

For Australian sellers, this means compliance cannot be treated as a carrier issue alone. The business placing the packaged goods on the EU market is responsible for the applicable packaging requirements, including where a fulfilment partner or dropshipping supplier provides or packs the goods on its behalf.

The use of a third-party supplier does not remove the need to check whether the packaging supplied on the seller's behalf meets the applicable rules. 

PPWR Packaging Requirements: Empty Space and Restricted Substances

For e-commerce shipments, packaging design is an operational issue. Article 24 sets a maximum 50% empty-space ratio for grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging, but this requirement applies from 1 January 2030 or three years after the relevant implementing acts enter into force, whichever is later. 

The Commission must establish the calculation methodology by 12 February 2028. Filling materials such as paper cuttings, air cushions, bubble wrap and foam fillers count as empty space. 

For example, a Melbourne apparel seller sending one small garment in an oversized box with air pillows would need to assess the packaging against those limits rather than assuming the void fill is excluded. Separately, Article 10 requires packaging weight and volume to be reduced to the minimum necessary from 1 January 2030. 

The PPWR also restricts certain substances in packaging. The combined concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium must not exceed 100 mg/kg.

From 12 August 2026, food-contact packaging is also subject to specific limits on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).These requirements must be supported by technical documentation.

PPWR Labelling Requirements for E-commerce Packaging

The PPWR requires in-scope packaging to carry a harmonised label showing its material composition. The requirement applies from 12 August 2028, or 24 months after the relevant implementing acts enter into force, whichever is later.

This reduces reliance on separate national approaches, such as France's Triman system and Italy's environmental labelling requirements. 

For Australian exporters selling online, this means updating packaging artwork to the prescribed format ahead of that 2028 deadline, before affected products are offered to EU customers, with the required information available to consumers before purchase online. 

PPWR Compliance Timeline and Documentation

Before placing packaging on the market, manufacturers must complete the applicable conformity assessment and prepare technical documentation and an EU Declaration of Conformity. The technical file should contain the information needed to demonstrate conformity, including relevant material data, weights, specifications, certifications where applicable and test results. 

Manufacturers must retain the technical documentation and Declaration of Conformity for five years for single-use packaging and 10 years for reusable packaging. Economic operators must also be able to identify suppliers and customers for the periods specified in Article 22.

Non-compliant packaging can create shipment delays, refusal of market access and returned stock. 

Once packaging is compliant, exporters can use Couriers & Freight's air freight to Europe service to ship EU-bound orders through the relevant freight lane. 

Ship E-commerce Orders to the EU with Couriers & Freight

Once packaging meets the applicable PPWR requirements, exporters can ship orders to their EU destination.

Couriers & Freight provides international air freight for e-commerce businesses and integrates with Shopify and WooCommerce, letting sellers sync orders and generate shipping labels.

A Brisbane skincare brand sending organic lotion orders to customers or fulfilment hubs in Germany can book freight through the service and track each shipment from departure to delivery.

Compare rates for EU-bound e-commerce shipments, then book through Couriers & Freight's global e-commerce shipping service.

   

        

   

     

Ship E-commerce Orders to the EU

     

Book EU-bound e-commerce shipments through Couriers & Freight's global e-commerce service.

     Get a Quote Now