The EU will impose a 3-euro customs duty on small parcels valued below 150 euros, effective from Wednesday

The EU is set to introduce a new tax on low-value imported goods, significantly impacting Chinese e-commerce giants such as SHEIN, Temu, and AliExpress. Starting July 1st, a uniform 3-euro customs duty will be levied on low-value e-commerce imports. Previously, goods imported into the EU with a value below 150 euros were exempt from customs duties.

This temporary measure means that small parcels primarily entering the EU through online shopping platforms will now face a fixed customs fee. The move aims to address what the European Council has identified as "unfair competition" against European retailers, while also responding to concerns over unsafe products, fraud, and the environmental impact of massive volumes of cheap imported goods.

The European Council emphasized that this tariff differs from the so-called "handling fee" proposal currently under discussion within the context of customs reform initiatives and the multiannual financial framework. Reports suggest this handling fee could amount to 2 euros—a further blow for China’s e-commerce industry.

Every day, vast numbers of low-value parcels arrive in the EU. According to the European Commission, 4.6 billion e-commerce parcels valued below 150 euros were imported into the EU in 2024, with 91% originating from China. This enormous volume has overwhelmed customs infrastructure, resulting in 65% of parcels entering without verified declared values or safety checks. Such unprecedented parcel volumes not only hinder border inspections but urgently necessitate regulatory intervention.

Under the “de minimis” policy—providing tariff exemptions for goods deemed too low in value to warrant taxation—consumers previously did not have to pay any customs duties when purchasing items worth up to 150 euros, including fast fashion clothing, cosmetics, and toys.

Starting from Wednesday, small parcels falling below this threshold will require payment of a 3-euro customs duty. Authorities hope that eliminating this “de minimis” exemption will curb the surge in imports from China.

The European Council stated, “This temporary measure is taken to address current issues arising from the duty-free entry of such parcels into the EU, including unfair competition faced by EU sellers, health and safety risks to consumers, widespread fraud, and environmental concerns. The measure will remain in place until a permanent arrangement—agreed upon in November 2025—is formally implemented. For different goods within the same shipment, a 3-euro duty will be applied separately based on their respective tariff codes.”

The European Council added, “Starting July 1, 2026, goods entering the EU as small parcels with a value below 150 euros will be subject to a fixed 3-euro customs duty. This rate applies to all goods entering the EU, provided that non-EU sellers have registered VAT-related matters through the EU’s Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) system. This covers 93% of all e-commerce shipments destined for the EU.”

A senior official said on Monday that online shopping “has led to the decline of traditional retail and the ‘desertification’ of urban commercial districts, affecting local employment and community life.” Last year, consumer groups across Europe warned of an onslaught of cheap imported goods from Temu, Shein, and other third-country e-commerce platforms, threatening to undermine the European economy and force numerous businesses into closure.

European Commission Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath also expressed “shock” at the risks posed by certain goods entering the EU via the “de minimis” channel.

A study released by the EU on Monday revealed that 60% of online purchases imported from outside the EU do not comply with EU regulations, potentially endangering consumer safety. Safety concerns are most acute for cosmetics and toys, with 65% of imported items in each category failing to meet EU standards.

Consumers purchasing dietary supplements not made in the EU also face health risks, as 63% of these products failed stringent health and public safety tests. Purchasing professional personal protective equipment—from hard hats to reinforced safety footwear—from outside the EU also carries high risk, with 60% of such products failing to meet EU regulatory requirements. Last month, EU regulators fined Temu 200 million euros for failing to prevent the sale of illegal and hazardous products.

EU officials hope this 3-euro tax will prompt some consumers to reconsider their purchases, especially for low-value items. They also believe abolishing the de minimis exemption will deter non-EU retailers, who will now be required to navigate sometimes complex customs procedures for every package. However, their primary goal remains enabling small European businesses and retailers to operate once again in a fair competitive environment.

It is reported that SHEIN is considering reshaping its business model. The company has already opened a pop-up store in Hungary and attempted to open its first permanent store in Paris last year—though it was forced to close after sparking strong backlash. In December last year, SHEIN launched a large distribution center in Poland, a move that may help it circumvent related taxes.

In Paris, France has decided to abolish its 2-euro fee on small-value e-commerce parcels from outside the EU starting July 1st. French Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Commerce, Crafts, Tourism, and Purchasing Power Serge Papin described the move as a “strategic pause.”

Speaking to France Télévision, Papin explained that this decision stems from the EU's upcoming 3-euro customs duty on such parcels beginning July 1st, and that by November, both fees would be combined, resulting in a total cost of 5 euros.

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869478729349259/

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