EU customs duties impact Chinese e-commerce platforms

New European Union customs regulations, including a €3 duty on micro-parcels valued up to €150, are significantly impacting Chinese e-commerce platforms. In France, data from fintech platform Joko indicates a sharp decline in purchase volumes between June and July: Temu saw a 50% drop, DHgate fell by 43%, AliExpress by 37%, and Shein by 15%. Despite these shifts, Shein maintains a strong presence with approximately 23 million users in France, though it reported an €87 million loss in the first half of 2026, partly attributed to changing customs rules.

In Cyprus, the Customs Department reported revenues of approximately €2.86 million from micro-parcel duties between July 1 and August 20. During this period, 243,000 parcels were processed, with 92% originating from China. While recent figures show a decrease in volume compared to previous months, officials suggest this may be due to the holiday season rather than the new duties alone, noting that a clearer trend will emerge after September.

In Greece, official data regarding the impact of these measures is still pending, with a study from the retailers' association SELPE expected in September to clarify import trends from China and Turkey.