Europe imposes fees on Shein and Temu shipments
The European Commission has decided to impose new fees on packages coming from countries outside the European Union, in a move specifically targeting cheap shopping platforms like Shein and Temu.
A fixed fee of up to 2 euros will be imposed on each parcel directed to private homes, and 0.50 euros on shipments to warehouses. This step aims to relieve pressure on customs authorities and inject more funds into the Union's budget, which may lead to increased prices for consumers.
European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic announced that the European Union received 4.6 billion parcels last year, at a rate of 145 parcels per second, 91% of which came from China. The majority of these parcels contain goods valued at less than 150 euros, which currently exempts them from customs duties. However, this exemption is likely to be canceled under the new amendments.
The fees will be paid by the selling platforms themselves, but it is likely that these costs will be passed on to the customers. The commission states that many products coming from China do not comply with EU standards and often contain harmful chemicals, prompting calls for stricter market regulation.
The Austrian Trade Union welcomed this step, considering it beneficial for local traders who are suffering from unfair competition with Chinese platforms. The union's executive director, Rainer Will, confirmed that this step has been long overdue, especially with the continued influx of millions of parcels from Asia to Europe without sufficient oversight.
As part of the e-commerce action plan, the Trade Union proposed three additional steps: First, reduce the customs exemption limit from 150 euros to zero, as two-thirds of packages are falsely declared to avoid fees. Second, enhance customs capabilities and inspection procedures, as dangerous products enter the market without adequate inspection. Finally, impose a temporary ban on platforms that repeatedly violate European laws, especially since such violations currently go without real consequences.