The European Union is set to introduce a flat rate fee of two euros on low-value parcels from third countries. In mid-July, the EU Parliament endorsed respective plans, aimed at curbing the growing influx of low-quality cheap goods from non‑EU online shops. The MEPs thus supported a proposal by the EU Commission. A few days earlier, the EU member states had also voted in favor of such a fee in a decision by the European Council.
The block is concerned that many of these imports do not meet European safety standards and could be potentially harmful to consumers. However, the discussion about direct imports from Chinese online shops such as Temu or Shein often revolves around inadequate brand protection and the sale of cheap counterfeits too. The EU’s approach is also supported by the German government. At a meeting with his EU counterparts in Luxembourg in June, Germany’s Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil stated that they had to ensure fair competition and protect jobs, so that those who pay decent wages and comply with the rules were not the ones who lose out in the end.
According to the EU Commission, around 4.6 billion parcels valued at less than 150 euros were imported into the EU in 2024 alone. That corresponds to an average of around twelve million parcels per day. Over 90% of these shipments came from China. The number of these shipments has increased rapidly: in 2023, around 2.3 billion parcels were delivered to Europe from third countries, compared to just 1.4 billion shipments in 2022. However, the Commission also assumes that in 2023, up to 65% of these duty‑free imported goods were declared at too low a value.
//“Too many goods enter the European market without proper checks, putting consumer safety at risk and penalising businesses that play by the rules.“
Salvatore De Meo (EPP), EU Parliament
The planned fee is part of a broader reform of the EU customs framework. It may be levied as early as fall 2026. The long‑planned customs reform focuses on a new EU customs authority and a new EU customs data hub. There are also discussions about dropping the existing threshold for customs duties on small shipments worth less than 150 euros and about making customs controls more efficient with the use of AI tools and blockchain technology.
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