EU to Impose €2 Handling Fee on Small Packages from Non-EU E-Commerce Platforms
The new tax aims to address rising compliance costs and regulate low-value imports from platforms like Shein and Temu.
The European Union is set to introduce a handling fee of €2 on low-value packages imported from non-EU e-commerce platforms, such as Shein and Temu, starting in 2026. This measure aims to generate approximately €3 billion in revenue, which will be allocated to cover the increasing costs of ensuring these packages comply with EU regulations.
The announcement was made by the EU’s Commissioner for Trade, Maros Sefcovic, during a session in the European Parliament.
Sefcovic detailed that the fee would be charged to the platforms, stating, "We are talking about two euros per package that the platform pays, and if it is for services provided by warehouses storing these packages, it will be even lower: 50 cents." He emphasized that the substantial volume of packages entering the EU places significant demands on customs officials, asserting that the fee is a handling charge rather than a tax.
In 2023, around 4.6 billion low-value shipments entered the EU market, equating to approximately 12 million packages daily.
Projections for 2024 indicate that 91% of all e-commerce shipments valued under €150 entering the EU originated from China, with volume doubling between 2023 and 2024.
The rapid growth of platforms like Temu and Shein has contributed notably to these trends, with user bases expanding to over 75 million in just a few months in 2024. Characterized by ubiquitous advertising, low prices, and rapid delivery, these platforms have driven significant demand for low-cost products.
Brussels has raised concerns regarding the surging imports that are shipped directly to consumers, stating that they present significant challenges requiring urgent attention, especially as many products fail to meet EU standards.
Official reports reveal that half of the counterfeit goods intercepted at EU borders were purchased online.
The increasing volume of unsafe, counterfeit, or non-compliant products poses serious health and safety risks to consumers, has an unsustainable impact on the environment, and creates unfair competition for compliant businesses, significantly affecting the competitiveness of the EU across various sectors.
In addition to the €2 handling fee, the EU has proposed the elimination of the current exemption that allows goods valued under €150 to enter without incurring customs duties.
This move is part of a broader strategy to bolster regulatory measures and ensure adherence to EU standards for imported goods.
The announcement was made by the EU’s Commissioner for Trade, Maros Sefcovic, during a session in the European Parliament.
Sefcovic detailed that the fee would be charged to the platforms, stating, "We are talking about two euros per package that the platform pays, and if it is for services provided by warehouses storing these packages, it will be even lower: 50 cents." He emphasized that the substantial volume of packages entering the EU places significant demands on customs officials, asserting that the fee is a handling charge rather than a tax.
In 2023, around 4.6 billion low-value shipments entered the EU market, equating to approximately 12 million packages daily.
Projections for 2024 indicate that 91% of all e-commerce shipments valued under €150 entering the EU originated from China, with volume doubling between 2023 and 2024.
The rapid growth of platforms like Temu and Shein has contributed notably to these trends, with user bases expanding to over 75 million in just a few months in 2024. Characterized by ubiquitous advertising, low prices, and rapid delivery, these platforms have driven significant demand for low-cost products.
Brussels has raised concerns regarding the surging imports that are shipped directly to consumers, stating that they present significant challenges requiring urgent attention, especially as many products fail to meet EU standards.
Official reports reveal that half of the counterfeit goods intercepted at EU borders were purchased online.
The increasing volume of unsafe, counterfeit, or non-compliant products poses serious health and safety risks to consumers, has an unsustainable impact on the environment, and creates unfair competition for compliant businesses, significantly affecting the competitiveness of the EU across various sectors.
In addition to the €2 handling fee, the EU has proposed the elimination of the current exemption that allows goods valued under €150 to enter without incurring customs duties.
This move is part of a broader strategy to bolster regulatory measures and ensure adherence to EU standards for imported goods.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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