European Union Economy Ministers reached an agreement this Thursday (13) to bring forward customs duties on low-value orders arriving in the bloc. The European Parliament also needs to approve the measure.
In 2023, the European Commission had proposed removing the exemption for online purchases below 150 euros from 2028.
But, due to the competition that Chinese online retailers Shein and Temu represent for the textile and clothing industry in EU countries, the tariffs, similar to the “blouse tax” applied in Brazil, will be charged from the first quarter of 2026, Reuters reported.
According to the European Commission, 91% of e-commerce shipments to the EU worth less than 150 euros came from China in 2024.
European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, Maros Sefcovic, said in a letter to the bloc that a “simplified temporary customs rate” will be adopted.
“European industries, particularly retailers, have repeatedly emphasized that this distortion of competition must be removed without delay,” said Sefcovic.
According to a statement from the European Council, up to 65% of small orders entering the EU are under-invoiced to avoid import customs fees, which, in addition to the impact on the competitiveness of companies in the bloc, causes environmental concerns, due to the large number of packages sent.
