The European Union (EU) is pushing for a new flat fee of €2 on millions of small parcels shipped directly to customers' homes, with most packages currently originating from China. This means that packages valued under €150 will no longer be exempt from customs fees. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic stated that with 4.6 billion packages entering the EU last year—over 90% from China—there have been challenges in monitoring safety and standards.
The proposed fee targets parcels sent to individual consumers, while those heading to warehouses will incur a lower charge of €0.50. This move mirrors recent US tariff adjustments on Chinese goods, which also feature a flat fee for small packages. Concerns have been raised regarding an influx of cheap goods from China, with European retailers feeling the pressure from overseas competition that skirts stringent EU standards.
Chinese platforms like Shein and Temu—boasting millions of users—have expressed willingness to comply with EU regulations as they adapt to this potential change. Before these tariffs, these companies benefited from exemptions for low-value shipments to the US.
