European Union tightens customs rules on low-value imports

The European Union has implemented new customs regulations targeting low-value imports, impacting major Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress. A temporary €3 customs duty on parcels from outside the bloc, effective July 1, has ended the previous exemption for goods valued under €150. This measure aims to combat unfair competition, customs fraud, unsafe products, and the environmental impact of high-volume small parcel shipments.

Data from ECDB indicates that in 2025, approximately 90.2% of the €55.1 billion spent by EU consumers on physical goods from outside the bloc went to Chinese online stores. While 86.9% of total EU online spending remains within the union, cross-border e-commerce has grown significantly from 2.3% in 2020 to 13.1% in 2025.

The new duties have led to visible shifts in the market. Some analysts report that the total cost of certain low-priced products has doubled. Consequently, parcel volumes have seen significant declines; estimates suggest drops between 30% and 70% in some markets, with arrivals at certain logistics hubs like Liege airport reportedly halving. In response, platforms have either listed separate charges or increased base prices to absorb the costs, while both Shein and Temu have reportedly reduced their marketing push in European markets.