The European Union has chosen Lille as the headquarters location for its customs agency, a move criticized as specifically targeting small Chinese parcels.

The EU establishes a customs agency, accused of "responding to Chinese parcels"

The European Union has finalized the location for the headquarters of its newly established EU Customs Agency, seen as aiming to unify customs regulations across EU member states to jointly address the growing volume of small e-commerce parcels from China. On the 25th local time, the European Council and the European Parliament issued a joint announcement selecting Lille, a city in northern France, as the headquarters location for the new EU Customs Agency. According to the statement, once established, the EU Customs Agency will employ approximately 250 staff members, primarily responsible for coordinating and supporting customs authorities across EU member states.

Bloomberg reported that with escalating global competition between China and the U.S., the EU is forming this customs body to comprehensively reform its fragmented customs system. The new EU Customs Agency headquarters in Lille is intended to help standardize internal customs rules within the EU and respond to the increasing flow of small parcels originating from China.

The report notes that one of the EU’s current major challenges is the sharp rise in small parcels shipped by Chinese e-commerce companies. Prior to finalizing the headquarters location, the EU had already agreed in 2025 to impose temporary tariffs on small parcels.

EU data shows that between 2023 and 2024, the number of e-commerce parcels from China valued under €150 surged from 1.9 billion to 4.2 billion—more than doubling—and accounted for 91% of all such parcels entering the EU in 2024. In December of last year, the EU agreed to impose a temporary tariff of €3 (approximately 24 CNY) on small parcels starting July this year. Once the new EU Customs Agency is fully operational in two years, permanent tariffs will take effect. Bloomberg previously reported that the massive influx of Chinese e-commerce parcels into the EU market has significantly impacted European businesses.

The 25th announcement indicated that the European Council and the European Parliament are still negotiating the details of the EU customs reform plan, and the official opening date of the EU Customs Agency in Lille remains to be determined.

Responding to the EU’s move to impose temporary tariffs on small parcels, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated: “We hope the EU will uphold principles of market economy and provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises from all countries, including Chinese companies.”

Cui Hongjian, director of the Research Center for the European Union and Regional Development at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told Global Times reporter on the 26th that the EU’s decision to locate the new customs headquarters in Lille is specifically aimed at implementing the temporary tariff measures agreed upon last year. Cui believes that imposing additional tariffs on small parcels clearly targets China, representing a protectionist measure that violates WTO rules and basic market principles. He emphasized that Chinese e-commerce products are of high quality and low cost, helping reduce living expenses for EU citizens and improve their standard of living, reflecting the mutually beneficial nature of Sino-European trade.

Cui added that imposing tariffs on Chinese goods will ultimately raise living costs for Europeans and harm the EU's own economy. (Global Times reporter Ni Hao)

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860786192172044/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author