EU Imposes ","3 E-commerce Import Fee

The European Union has implemented a new ","3 customs fee on low-value e-commerce imports, primarily targeting goods from China sold through platforms like Shein, Temu, and Alibaba Group — AliExpress. This temporary measure, effective July 1, 2026, replaces a decades-old duty-free exemption for parcels worth less than ","150. The fee is charged per customs classification within a shipment, not per item. The European Union's decision is driven by a surge in low-value imports, which quadrupled from 1.4 billion in 2022 to 5.8 billion in 2025, with approximately 90% originating from China. Policymakers, including Dirk Gotink, argue that the exemption was abused, creating unfair competition for European businesses and overwhelming customs authorities. Additionally, concerns about product safety have been raised, with over 60% of imported items failing to comply with EU standards. The new fee is expected to increase consumer prices as platforms pass on costs. Shein has responded by expanding warehouse space in Poland, while Alibaba Group — AliExpress and Amazon (company) will display import charges to customers. This measure is temporary, set to be replaced by category-specific duties from July 1, 2028, when the new EU Customs Authority begins operations. The United States previously enacted similar measures, indicating a broader trend in global trade policy.