New customs duties on shipments from China change the rules of the game in e-commerce
The Council of the European Union approved the introduction of a customs work of EUR 3 for tiny consignments from outside the EU of up to EUR 150. The regulation will apply from 1 July 2026 and is temporary until a wider customs improvement is implemented.
The change concerns shipments mainly sent by e-commerce platforms operating outside the EU, including Temu, Shein and AliExpress. According to European Commission data, as many as 91 percent of specified parcels go to the Union from China. The scale of the phenomenon is enormous. More than 12 million shipments per day scope the EU.
Until now, shipments up to EUR 150 have benefited from work exemption. In practice, this meant a price advantage for abroad retailers over local e-shops. The fresh fee is intended to reduce this effect and increase import control.
Why the EU has decided to introduce fees
The decision to introduce fresh duties is due to respective factors that straight affect the e-commerce marketplace in Europe. First, it's about competition. EU retailers have been pointing to unequal operating conditions for years. Products imported from outside the EU frequently bypass any of the regulatory and taxation costs, allowing for lower prices.
Secondly, the safety aspect is important. Many products entering the EU do not meet European quality and safety standards. This applies especially to categories specified as electronics, toys or clothing. Thirdly, undervalue of shipments remains a problem. It is estimated that up to 65 percent of tiny packages imported into the EU have a declared value lower than the actual value, thus avoiding fees and taxes. This data comes from the European Commission's analysis. The fresh duties are intended to reduce these phenomena and increase transparency of cross-border trade.
How fresh duties will affect retailers and marketplaces
The introduction of a fee of EUR 3 per consignment changes the sales economy for cross border platforms. For marketplaces specified as Temu or AliExpress, this means an increase in operating costs. In practice, this could translate into higher product prices or a change in the logistics model, specified as greater usage of warehouses in Europe. For European e-shops it is simply a possible opportunity. Reducing the price advantage of Asian platforms can improve the competitiveness of local offers, especially in price delicate segments.
However, this does not mean an automatic increase in sales. Consumers accustomed to low prices can inactive choose abroad platforms, even with a tiny increase in costs. It will so be crucial to build added value, specified as faster delivery, better client service or product quality. It is besides worth paying attention to the operational aspect. The fee shall apply to each consignment, not to a single product. This means that packaging and order completion strategies can have a direct impact on costs.
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FAQ. fresh customs duties on shipments from China
- Since erstwhile do fresh customs apply for shipments from China?
The fresh regulations enter into force on July 1, 2026. - How much is the customs work for tiny consignments outside the EU?
The fee shall be EUR 3 per consignment up to EUR 150. - Does the fee apply to all products?
Yes, it applies to all goods in shipments up to EUR 150 if the seller is registered with the IOSS system. - Will fresh duties affect prices for Temu and AliExpress?
There is simply a strong likelihood of price increases or changes in logistics models to reduce the impact of charges. - Is this the end of inexpensive purchases from China?
Not entirely, but price differences may decrease, especially for low-priced products.