EU Slaps €3 Duty Fee on SHEIN, Temu and AliExpress Imports
The new charge applies to 2 billion small parcels a year and aims to curb unfair competition and unsafe imports, officials said.
- On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the European Union began charging a temporary 3-euro customs duty on low-value imports, replacing a long-standing exemption for goods valued at 150 euros or less.
- Authorities implemented the charge to close a loophole that allowed unsafe products to enter the European market, as more than 60 percent of inspected cosmetics, electronics, and toys failed to meet EU standards.
- Platforms including Shein, Temu, and AliExpress are now 'deemed importers,' making them legally responsible for product safety. EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic stated the measures are 'closing loopholes that allowed unsafe and non-compliant goods to enter our market too easily.'
- EuroCommerce, representing Europe's retail sector, welcomed the change as a 'positive step for fairer trade,' while FedEx and UPS have advised businesses to review supply chains and return policies ahead of implementation.
- The Commission requires businesses to provide product identifiers starting Nov. 1, 2026, to improve traceability, and the current duty will remain until July 1, 2028, when the EU Customs Data Hub begins operating.
45 Articles
45 Articles
Cheap purchases from Chinese markets have become more expensive since July 1. In the European Union, a new duty has come into effect on small shipments up to 150 euros, which previously went through without it. The fee is three euros, or roughly 75 crowns, but it is not paid for the package as a whole, but for each type of goods separately. Asian e-shops have already come up with the first solution to circumvent the duty.
The EU wants to contain the flood of parcels from Asia – and charges a customs duty of three euros per item category in the package.
The European Union (EU) has tightened regulations on ultra-low-priced direct purchase goods from China. Following the U.S. abolishing the small value exemption system applied to small imports from China and Hong Kong, and Japan moving to overhaul its taxation system for low-priced overseas direct purchases, the introduction of customs fees by the EU is expected to weaken the price competitiveness of Chinese e-commerce platforms such as AliExpres…
Online shopping through platforms such as Temu and Shein is now significantly more expensive for Europeans. As a rule, customers will have to pay a 3-euro duty for each product or product category. The duty will not have to be paid only if the purchased goods are already located in Slovenia or another European Union member state when the order is placed. Many platforms have already found their way and offered customers a special tab where they o…
EU Starts Charging Duty on Low-Value Imports
The European Union on July 1 began charging a temporary 3-euro ($3.40) customs duty on low-value imports from outside the bloc, saying it will close a loophole that made it easier for unsafe products to enter the EU market. The charge applies to each item in a shipment valued at 150 euros ($170) or less that is purchased through distance sales, including online shopping from sellers outside the EU, such as Chinese giants Shein, Temu, and AliExpr…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
