EU launches €3 per‑item tariff on low‑value parcels from non‑EU e‑commerce platforms

From 1 July 2024 the European Union will apply a temporary €3 tariff for each distinct product in parcels up to €150 that originate from third‑country online retailers. The measure targets small shipments from platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress, which ship directly from China and other Asian markets. The charge is calculated per product category, so a parcel containing eight different items could see the tariff rise to €24, as illustrated by customs officials in Belgium.

The tariff aims to curb customs fraud, level the playing field for EU retailers and generate additional revenue. It will remain in force until the end of 2028, after which duties based on parcel value will replace the per‑item charge. Parcels above €150 already incur standard customs duties. Customs staff at Liège airport – a major hub handling more than 20 % of EU e‑commerce traffic – will enforce the new rules, and 20 % of the collected revenue will be transferred to the Belgian state. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the European Commission to harmonise tax treatment of cross‑border online sales and to protect EU businesses from unfair competition.