European Union finance ministers agreed on Friday, December 12, to impose a three-euro responsibility on low-value imports into the bloc from July 2026.
Whereas the measure covers all imports from non-EU nations, it primarily targets the surge of low-cost Chinese language items ordered by way of platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress.
Greater than 145 parcels per second
Final yr, 4.6 billion small retail packages entered the European Union — greater than 145 per second — with 91 % originating in China and their numbers anticipated to maintain rising.
Beginning at three euros, the brand new payment will apply as soon as per merchandise in circumstances the place packages comprise totally different merchandise, however solely as soon as in the event that they comprise multiples of the identical merchandise, a spokesperson for the European Council advised AFP.
The transfer comes a month after the EU agreed to scrap an obligation exemption for parcels price lower than 150 euros (USD 174) imported on to shoppers within the 27-nation bloc, in lots of circumstances by way of Chinese language-founded platforms.
Transitional association
The levy can be launched on a brief foundation beginning July 1, staying in place till the bloc can decide on a everlasting resolution for taxing such imports.
“This short-term measure responds to the truth that such parcels at the moment enter the EU responsibility free, resulting in unfair competitors for EU sellers, well being and security dangers for shoppers, excessive ranges of fraud and environmental considerations,” the Council, which represents EU member states, mentioned in an announcement.
European retailers argue they face unfair competitors from abroad platforms, comparable to AliExpress, Shein and Temu, which they declare don’t at all times adjust to the EU’s stringent guidelines on merchandise.
Throughout the EU, France has made the matter a precedence, given the round 800 million such packages shipped to the nation final yr and robust home strain to take motion. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure welcomed the flat tax as “a significant victory for the European Union”.
“Europe is taking concrete steps to guard its single market, its shoppers and its sovereignty,” he mentioned.
The transfer comes because the EU strives to bolster the continent’s competitiveness by making the lives of European companies simpler by way of slashing purple tape.
Alongside ending the responsibility exemption, the EU govt in Might proposed a small bundle dealing with payment price two euros. EU member states have but to agree on the extent of that payment, however hope it should apply from late 2026.
Fed up with ready, some states have already moved ahead with their very own plans, together with Romania, which has imposed a five-euro payment on small parcels.
