The European Commission will introduce a new customs charge on small parcels valued under €150, ending a longstanding tax exemption that has fueled a surge in cheap Chinese imports.
According to The Guardian, the measure will impose a €3 fee per package, targeting the so-called "de minimis" tariff exemption that previously allowed low-value parcels to enter the EU duty-free.
Officials aim to slow the rapid influx of low-value imports, which quadrupled from 1.3 billion parcels in 2022 to 5.9 billion in 2025.
About 90% of these small packages originate from China.
The move comes as competition from popular online platforms hits European high streets and traditional retailers hard.
A senior official stated on Monday that online shopping has contributed to the decline of traditional retail, affecting local jobs and community life.
Civil society consumer groups had previously warned that European cities face an avalanche of cheap imports threatening to devastate the economy and force local businesses to close.
Safety and Compliance Concerns
EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath expressed shock at the potential hazards of certain items entering the bloc through the duty-free route.
Recent EU research revealed that 60% of online products imported from outside the bloc failed to comply with regional safety laws.
Safety concerns were highest in the cosmetics and toys categories, where 65% of imported items failed to meet strict European standards.
Additionally, 63% of non-EU food supplements and 60% of imported professional personal protective equipment failed health and safety tests.
Regulators recently fined e-commerce platform Temu €200 million for failing to prevent the sale of illegal and dangerous products on its marketplace.
Officials believe the removal of the threshold will also deter non-EU retailers by forcing them to complete complicated customs declarations for every package.
Some platforms are already shifting their business models. Shein has opened pop-ups in Hungary and established a massive distribution center in Poland.
Meanwhile, the UK Treasury announced it will begin charging import duties on small parcels worth less than £135 starting in October 2028.
