EU customs fees trigger decline in Chinese e-commerce imports

New European Union customs regulations have significantly reduced the volume of small parcels arriving from China. Since the implementation of a three-euro fee per product category for shipments valued under 150 euros on July 1, the number of such parcels entering the EU has dropped by an estimated 30 to 40 percent.

Major Chinese e-commerce platforms have seen substantial declines in sales. Temu reported a 50 percent drop in sales between June and July, while AliExpress experienced a 37 percent decrease. Shein saw a smaller decline of 15 percent, a trend potentially mitigated by its decision to open a warehouse in Poland.

The EU introduced these measures to level the playing field for European retailers, who previously faced competitive disadvantages compared to non-EU platforms that benefited from customs exemptions on low-value goods. Additionally, the regulations aim to address safety concerns, as inspections in 2025 indicated that approximately 60 percent of examined low-cost goods did not meet EU standards.

While the new fee has impacted consumer habits, Temu has also highlighted its role in supporting European businesses. According to a survey by the company, 50 percent of surveyed sellers reported increasing capacity or hiring more staff after joining the platform, though these figures are provided by the company itself.