The charge applies per customs code from July 1, as Brussels targets a surge in sub-€150 parcels and the move may favor local retailers while tightening product safety compliance for imports.
The European Union has introduced a €3 charge on low-value ecommerce imports from China that had previously entered duty-free, marking a first step in its effort to curb what it describes as unfair competition from platforms including Shein, Temu and AliExpress. The fee takes effect on Wednesday and applies to each customs classification in a shipment, meaning a parcel with three different item types would incur €9, while one containing multiple dresses or multiple toys would be charged €3. The move follows a sharp rise in parcels entering under the EU’s sub-€150 exemption, which climbed to 5.8 billion in 2025 from 1.4 billion in 2022. EU lawmaker Dirk Gotink, who leads the customs reform topic in the European Parliament, said the exemption no longer fits today’s ecommerce-driven trade environment and had been abused to create an advantage over EU businesses. Derek Lossing of Cirrus Global Advisors said air shipments of ecommerce goods into the EU could fall 10% to 35% in the weeks after the fees begin, with knock-on effects for global air cargo. He said platforms may seek savings from suppliers to limit price increases. Shein has expanded warehouse space in Wroclaw, Poland, and moved more products into the EU in bulk ahead of the change. The temporary €3 measure is due to be replaced by category-specific duties from July 1, 2028, when the new EU Customs Authority is scheduled to start operations. The change could reshape ecommerce competition by benefiting local retailers and encouraging stricter safety compliance for imported goods. AliExpress said some listings would show a “Price includes duties and VAT” label, while Amazon said 97% of its EU shipments last year were fulfilled from warehouses inside the bloc and that import charges would be displayed at checkout for goods sent from outside the EU.