EU proposes tariffs on small parcels and content checks to rein in e-commerce giants

In a bid to tackle what it calls unfair competition in online retail, the European Commission has unveiled proposals to impose tariffs on small shipments and to intensify checks on their contents.

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EPA/CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF

The measures, detailed in Thursday’s edition of Rzeczpospolita, specifically target major Chinese platforms Temu and Shein.

Commissioner Michael McGrath, responsible for democracy, justice, rule of law, and consumer protection, stressed the importance of ensuring that all products entering the EU market are safe and that consumer rights are upheld.

“Our obligation is to ensure that goods entering our market are safe, and all businesses adhere to consumer rights,” he said.

The proposed measures focus on the EU’s current customs exemption for parcels valued at up to 150 euros—a rule originally designed to streamline customs operations and benefit consumers.

However, this exemption has been exploited by large-scale e-commerce platforms. According to Rzeczpospolita, last year the EU received approximately 4.6 billion low-value parcels. Their numbers doubled in one year and tripled over two, with many of these shipments comprising products that do not meet European safety standards and regulations.

This influx, coupled with the online sale of counterfeits, has been deemed a significant factor in the growing disparity between law-abiding EU retailers and their competitors.

The Commission is now urging member states to swiftly adopt a customs reform that would eliminate the 150-euro exemption.

(jh)

Source: PAP