Brussels, Belgium – The European Union has put forward a proposal for a €2 (about £1.70) flat fee on billions of small parcels sent directly to consumers, a move primarily targeting the massive influx of packages from China. This new charge would mean that goods valued under €150 (£126), currently exempt from customs duties, would now incur a levy.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic stated that online marketplaces, including Chinese e-commerce giants Temu and Shein, would be expected to pay this new fee. Last year alone, 4.6 billion such parcels entered the EU, with over 90% originating from China.
Mr. Sefcovic told the European Parliament that this vast volume has created an immense workload for EU customs staff and presented significant challenges in ensuring the safety and quality standards of goods entering the bloc. He argued that the proposed fee would “compensate the cost” of these increased checks, with some of the revenue also potentially contributing to the overall EU budget.
The €2 fee would apply to packages sent directly to consumers. Parcels shipped to warehouses within the EU would face a lower charge of €0.50 (£0.42).
Following US Footsteps Amid Fair Competition Concerns
This move by the EU mirrors recent actions taken in the United States, where new tariffs on Chinese goods under President Donald Trump’s administration also include a fee on small packages. Following negotiations last week, a tariff on small packages worth up to $800 (£606) was revised down to 54% from 120%, though a flat fee of $100 per parcel remains.
There had been concerns that these US tariffs could lead Chinese e-commerce giants to “dump” products originally destined for the American market onto Europe, potentially flooding the market with even more cheap goods.
European retailers have long complained about what they describe as unfair competition from overseas competitors, arguing that these companies do not adhere to the EU’s strict product standards.
Chinese platforms Shein and Temu have previously stated their willingness to cooperate with regulators and comply with consumer standards. Temu reports having 92 million users in the EU, while Shein claims over 130 million.
Prior to the recent changes in US policy, platforms like Shein and Temu often leveraged a “de minimis” exemption, allowing them to ship low-value items directly to customers in the US without incurring duties or import taxes. The proposed EU fee aims to address similar concerns within the European market.
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