The EU is swamped with cheap parcels imported from Chinese e-commerce giants. Products from SHEIN, Temu and the like have been benefitting from a tax loophole that will soon be axed by the EU. Until now, goods valued under €150 could enter the bloc without paying customs duties under the so-called “de minimis” exemption. Chinese platforms exploited this by shipping billions of low-value parcels directly to European consumers from China, avoiding up to 12% in import duties and bypassing many regulatory checks. Under new EU rules starting this July, low-value imports will face a flat €3 customs duty, with extra charges depending on the type of goods in a parcel. Online marketplaces will also become legally responsible by default for the safety of the products they sell into the EU, rather than passing liability onto consumers.

Full report : EU introduces €3 customs charge on small parcels to curb cheap Chinese imports.