Purchases from Chinese Online Platforms Become More Expensive in the EU

The European Union will introduce an additional fee on low-cost parcels shipped from Shein, Temu, and AliExpress. Under the new rules, items previously exempt from customs duties will now be subject to a surcharge.

The EU has decided to impose a €3 fee on low-cost parcels that were previously exempt from customs duties. The change primarily affects Chinese online platforms, through which large quantities of cheap products enter Europe.

One of the reasons for the decision is the sharp growth in parcels. The number of duty-free shipments entering the EU was 1.4 billion in 2022, but grew to 5.8 billion by 2025. Brussels believes the old exemption was being massively abused and placed European companies in unequal conditions.

Under the new rules, €3 will be charged for each customs category included in a parcel. For example, if one package contains three different types of items, the fee will be €9. According to experts, this will also be reflected in product prices, as online platforms will likely pass on part of the additional cost to consumers.

Online stores are already preparing for the changes. Shein is expanding its warehouses in Europe to import products in large batches and reduce costs. AliExpress, in turn, shows consumers in advance whether the customs fee is included in the item's price. The €3 fee is a temporary measure and will be replaced by more detailed tariff rules starting in 2028.

Source: Investing.com