According to the EU Commission, about 4.6 billion packages with a value of less than 22 euros were imported into the EU last year. In view of the rapidly increasing number of such deliveries, the Commission is considering, among other things, introducing a processing fee for e-commerce goods delivered directly to consumers to offset the expenses for customs and market surveillance.

Package Volume from Online Shops Like Temu and Shein Overloads Customs Offices of EU Countries

The EU Commission proposes to the member states and the European Parliament to "levy a processing fee for e-commerce items" imported in individual packages. The fee should compensate the customs authorities of the EU states for the higher costs incurred "in the proper control of these goods, which are delivered directly to consumers." The sheer volume of cheap packages sent directly from sellers in China or other third countries to customers in Europe is overloading customs offices, the EU Commission warned. Consumer protection and environmental agencies complain that controls and a guarantee of European safety and environmental standards are hardly possible as a result.

Chamber of Commerce Welcomes EU Commission's Initiative for Fee on Online Shops Like Temu and Shein

"Chinese platforms like Temu and Shein use unfair practices that give them competitive advantages. To prevent European trading companies from coming under increasing pressure as a result, it is high time for the EU to take effective measures here," welcomed Rainer Trefelik, head of trade in the Chamber of Commerce, the EU Commission's proposals. These are "going in the right direction to curb the multitude of packages from China that we are currently dealing with." It is particularly positive that the large online platforms themselves are to be held more accountable. "If in the future the platforms have to ensure that everything is in order and that all duties are properly paid, it also makes control much easier. Because controlling tens of thousands of small Chinese shops overwhelms the European customs authorities."

Online platforms will also be required in the future to ensure that the products offered on their platforms are legal and comply with EU safety standards, the Trade Association (HV) in Vienna pointed out another point. They support the EU Commission's proposal "with full conviction," said HV Managing Director Rainer Will on Wednesday via a press release. "It cannot be that European retailers and manufacturers have to comply with strict regulations every day, while cheap platforms from China flood our market without effective control." There is an urgent need for fair competition, fees on packages from China are an important first step in the right direction. "The second step is the immediate abolition of the 150-euro customs exemption limit," Will reiterated another demand.

EU Commission for Abolition of Customs Exemption Limit

A central point of the planned reform is the abolition of the previous customs exemption for shipments under 150 euros. The Commission has long wanted to abolish this exemption limit. This could also apply to online marketplaces like Amazon. This is intended to ensure that all traders - regardless of their location - have the same competitive conditions. Additionally, the EU plans increased controls and coordinated measures to prevent the sale of unsafe or non-EU-compliant products. According to the EU Commission, 91 percent of all e-commerce imports with a value of up to 150 euros came from China last year. The volume has more than doubled since 2023 - from 1.9 billion to 4.17 billion shipments.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.