Brussels is preparing stringent measures to control the surging influx of packages from Asian online retailers Temu and Shein, as the EU grapples with a massive increase in e-commerce shipments circumventing customary checks.
The European Union is contemplating implementing a new tax on e-commerce platform revenues alongside an administrative handling fee per item. These measures aim to diminish the competitiveness of low-value shipments, according to sources close to the discussions.
European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič revealed that approximately 4 billion lower-value parcels will arrive in the EU this year, marking nearly triple the volume recorded in 2022. The sheer magnitude of packages falling under the €150 customs duty threshold has resulted in minimal inspection processes, leading to an alarming rise in dangerous goods entering the market.
The proposed crackdown specifically targets the operational models of popular platforms such as China’s Temu and Shein, though the latter now operates from Singapore. EU officials express mounting concern over the undermining of European competitors who face higher production costs due to stringent EU standards compliance requirements.
Safety authorities across the bloc have identified an increasing prevalence of dangerous and counterfeit goods, many shipped directly to consumers. The situation is further complicated by China’s subsidised postage costs, enabling cost-effective air shipment of low-value items.
The EU executive has proposed eliminating the €150 value threshold for customs duty exemption, mirroring similar actions in the United States. However, this solution presents its own challenges, potentially overwhelming already stretched customs officers who currently process millions of packages daily at major European entry points.
Industry representatives, including EuroCommerce, have welcomed the planned intervention but caution that implementation of handling fees might face challenges under WTO regulations. The organisation advocates for enhanced enforcement at national and EU levels while acknowledging that new regulatory frameworks could take years to implement effectively.
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