Chinese e-commerce platforms see price shifts amid new EU customs duties

New European Union customs regulations are altering consumer behavior on Chinese e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. As of July 1, 2026, a temporary customs duty of 3 euros per item has been applied to goods imported from outside the EU valued under 150 euros.

Data indicates a shift in how Polish consumers shop. While monthly spending on major platforms has remained relatively stable, with average monthly expenditures rising 6 percent to 825 PLN, the nature of transactions has changed. Consumers are purchasing fewer items per transaction but selecting products with higher individual values. On Chinese platforms specifically, the average product price rose 31 percent, from 22 PLN to 29 PLN, in a single month.

Surveys suggest a significant impact on platform usage, with 42.2 percent of respondents reporting they have limited their purchases on Temu, Shein, or AliExpress. The European Commission introduced these measures to address unfair competition and safety concerns, noting that in 2025, over 60 percent of inspected low-value shipments in categories such as cosmetics, electronics, and toys failed to meet EU safety and labeling standards.