European Commission Proposes €2 Tariff on Low-Cost Imports from Platforms like Shein and Temu
This measure aims to offset customs management costs for a surge in small package imports from outside the EU.
The European Commission is considering the introduction of a €2 tariff per package on purchases made through low-cost platforms from outside the European Union, specifically targeting Chinese companies such as Shein and Temu.
This initiative is part of a broader reform of customs policy, designed to adapt to the 'dramatic growth' in imports of small packages in recent years.
Maros Sefcovic, the Commissioner for Trade and Security, announced this proposal during a debate in the Internal Market Committee of the European Parliament.
He confirmed that Brussels is working on a 'management fee' to address the logistics of handling the increasing volume of packages that pass through customs authorities.
Sefcovic emphasized that the aim is for the platforms to bear the cost rather than the end consumer.
He clarified that this measure is not a new 'tax' but a fee designed to 'compensate' for the costs associated with managing the significant influx of packages.
In 2024, approximately 4.6 billion small packages entered the European Union, with 90% originating from China via platforms like Temu and Shein.
According to Sefcovic, this volume of packages presents new challenges for control and safety, and the proposal aims to ensure compliance with European standards for these products.
Currently, packages valued under €150 are exempt from tariffs, but the new proposal would impose the €2 fee on each direct-to-consumer sale.
For services offered by warehouses storing these packages, the fee could be as low as €0.50.
Sefcovic noted that this is just the initial phase of the proposal, and sources within the European Union have indicated that a formal proposal is yet to be presented.
Nevertheless, Brussels signaled in February its intention to revive customs policy reforms that have been stalled for two years.
The ongoing reforms aim to eliminate the exemption for imports valued under €150, a provision that has primarily benefited low-cost purchases.
Additionally, the reform seeks to enhance resources for better control, data exchange, and risk assessment.
Sefcovic indicated that the management fee would be collected in the same manner as existing import tariffs, with the generated revenue expected to contribute approximately €3 billion to the EU's common budget.
This initiative is part of a broader reform of customs policy, designed to adapt to the 'dramatic growth' in imports of small packages in recent years.
Maros Sefcovic, the Commissioner for Trade and Security, announced this proposal during a debate in the Internal Market Committee of the European Parliament.
He confirmed that Brussels is working on a 'management fee' to address the logistics of handling the increasing volume of packages that pass through customs authorities.
Sefcovic emphasized that the aim is for the platforms to bear the cost rather than the end consumer.
He clarified that this measure is not a new 'tax' but a fee designed to 'compensate' for the costs associated with managing the significant influx of packages.
In 2024, approximately 4.6 billion small packages entered the European Union, with 90% originating from China via platforms like Temu and Shein.
According to Sefcovic, this volume of packages presents new challenges for control and safety, and the proposal aims to ensure compliance with European standards for these products.
Currently, packages valued under €150 are exempt from tariffs, but the new proposal would impose the €2 fee on each direct-to-consumer sale.
For services offered by warehouses storing these packages, the fee could be as low as €0.50.
Sefcovic noted that this is just the initial phase of the proposal, and sources within the European Union have indicated that a formal proposal is yet to be presented.
Nevertheless, Brussels signaled in February its intention to revive customs policy reforms that have been stalled for two years.
The ongoing reforms aim to eliminate the exemption for imports valued under €150, a provision that has primarily benefited low-cost purchases.
Additionally, the reform seeks to enhance resources for better control, data exchange, and risk assessment.
Sefcovic indicated that the management fee would be collected in the same manner as existing import tariffs, with the generated revenue expected to contribute approximately €3 billion to the EU's common budget.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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