Finance ministers from the European Union’s 27 member nations concurred on Friday to implement a blanket tariff of 3 euros ($3.52) on low-value e-commerce parcels entering the bloc.
This initiative is designed to mitigate what officials characterise as unprincipled competition and safety hazards stemming from exceedingly inexpensive imports, primarily from China.
The measure, scheduled to come into force on July 1, 2026, will affect parcels valued below 150 euros ($176). This specifically pertains to items sold by non-EU merchants registered under the EU’s Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) value-added tax framework.
European Union officials have indicated that this regulation encompasses 93 per cent of all e-commerce transactions directed toward the EU.
“We ensure that duties are paid from the first euro, creating a level playing field for European businesses and limiting the influx of low-cost goods,” remarked Stephanie Lose, Denmark’s Minister for Economic Affairs.
The decision addresses the dramatic rise in small parcels shipped directly to European consumers by platforms such as Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Amazon Haul, which procure products from Chinese factories and retail them at remarkably low prices.
Closing a Loophole in Customs Rules
Presently, under the IOSS system, online purchases in the EU valued below 150 euros can enter the bloc without incurring duties.
This exemption has spurred a significant uptick in imports. Remarkably, last year, the number of low-value e-commerce parcels entering the EU doubled to approximately 4.6 billion, with over 90 per cent originating from China, as per EU customs data.
In a statement, the Council of the European Union emphasised that the new tariff is intended to combat “unfair competition for EU sellers, health and safety hazards for consumers, elevated levels of fraud, and environmental issues” linked to duty-free entry.
Initially, Brussels had aimed to abolish the 150 euro customs duty exemption in 2028 as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the EU customs framework.
However, escalating concerns regarding the influx of dumped Chinese goods in European markets prompted member states to advocate for expedited action.
Temporary Measure Ahead of Permanent Reform
Under the accord, the 3 euro flat tariff will remain effective until a long-term solution—specifically, the complete removal of the duty-free threshold for goods valued under 150 euros—is realised.
EU officials stated that this reform was negotiated in November 2025 and would subject all low-value goods to standard EU tariffs assessed on a per-item basis once implemented.
In addition, EU policymakers are deliberating a proposed 2 euro “handling fee” for small parcels, although a timeline for implementation has yet to be determined.
These measures are consistent with a broader initiative by the EU, the United States, and other major economies to enhance scrutiny of cross-border e-commerce and to regulate the rapid proliferation of low-cost imports from China.
Source link: Mb.ntd.com.
