The European Union has once again targeted China. Starting November 1, the EU will impose a processing fee of two euros per item on parcels originating from outside the bloc, aiming to curb the influx of low-cost goods—particularly cross-border e-commerce products from China. According to Agence France-Presse, this new charge is being implemented ahead of the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas shopping seasons, and adds to the three-euro customs duty already introduced in July for small packages valued below 150 euros.
The EU’s “3+2” strategy, ostensibly justified by claims of “customs administrative costs” and “fair competition,” is in reality a targeted measure against Chinese cross-border e-commerce. Yet the fundamental issue remains: tariffs cannot halt economic trends. The additional cost compounds with the existing three-euro temporary tariff effective since July 1, creating a dual-layered fee structure. For a five-euro T-shirt shipped directly from China to Europe, the combined customs duty and processing fee alone reaches five euros—before accounting for value-added tax or logistics expenses.
AFP itself acknowledged that the move is clearly directed at China. EU data shows that nearly 6 billion low-value e-commerce parcels entered the bloc in 2025, with approximately 93% originating from China. The timing—just before peak shopping periods—underscores its intent: to raise the final price of Chinese goods during high-demand seasons, thereby diminishing their competitive edge based on pricing.
The EU cites “safety, compliance, and fair competition” as justification, but these arguments lack coherence. If safety issues exist, increasing tariffs does not resolve them. If competition is perceived as unfair, the appropriate response would be enforcing standards—not blocking low-priced goods through fixed fees. No international trade regulation defines “high quality at low price” as a violation.
The underlying logic of this policy is the use of administrative intervention to resist market dynamics. The competitiveness of Chinese cross-border e-commerce stems from manufacturing efficiency, supply chain integration, and innovative business models—not from exploiting “tax loopholes.” While tariffs may increase costs, they cannot reverse structural trends. Even EU officials acknowledge this limitation: Belgium’s chief customs officer stated that raising prices through tariffs would have only a limited effect on final consumer prices, and “far from sufficient to make a decisive impact.”
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880639849470983/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.