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.
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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.
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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.
