The European Commission plans to impose new import duties on inexpensive products from Chinese web platforms, potentially increasing costs for European consumers. Currently, parcels worth less than 150 euros are exempt, but the Commission aims to eliminate this exemption.
To implement these changes, amendments to European customs rules are needed. The Commission has urged Member States and the European Parliament to facilitate this update.
The rise in low-cost packages from webshops like Temu and SHEIN has surged in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands. Last year alone, 4.6 billion packages worth under 22 euros were imported into the EU, doubling from 2022.
Many imported products don’t meet European safety and quality standards, leading to investigations into SHEIN and Temu. These products create unfair market competition and contribute to environmental issues due to unsustainable materials.
The Commission proposes a fee on each package to cover increased border control costs, which would be passed on to retailers or online platforms. This stance mirrors actions in the US, where stricter measures were implemented against packages from Temu and SHEIN under former President Donald Trump.