The European Union is set to end the duty-free status of low-value imports by imposing a flat €2 charge on packages valued below €150 that are delivered directly to private individuals. The proposal, announced by EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, is aimed primarily at the more than 4.6 billion small parcels that entered the bloc in the past year, over 90 percent of which originated from China.
Šefčovič explained to the European Parliament that the sheer volume of these shipments has strained customs authorities and complicated efforts to verify product safety and compliance with EU standards. “This fee will compensate for the administrative burden and help ensure proper checks on goods entering our single market,” he said, adding that a portion of the revenue will also bolster the EU budget.
Under the new regime, consumers receiving small-value parcels directly will see a uniform €2 surcharge at customs clearance. Shipments sent to commercial warehouses or fulfilment centres will face a lower fee of €0.50, reflecting their reduced handling requirements.
The move follows similar measures by the United States, where high tariffs and a $100 per-parcel fee on low-value imports have led Chinese e-commerce platforms to seek alternative markets. European retailers have long argued that platforms like Temu and Shein gain an unfair edge by bypassing duties and taxes under the “de minimis” threshold, allowing them to undercut domestic sellers.
Both Temu and Shein which claim 92 million and 130 million EU users, respectively have indicated willingness to comply with new rules. The European Commission will now enter a consultation phase before the fee can be adopted into law, with the aim of leveling the playing field for European businesses while maintaining consumer access to affordable goods.
