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The EU introduces a tax on cheap imported goods
The European Union has introduced a new €3 levy on imports of cheap e-commerce goods from China. The new rules came into effect on July 1 and apply to products coming through major online platforms, including Temu, AliExpress and Shein.
Previously, such shipments entered the EU duty-free thanks to preferential treatment for low-cost parcels.
How the new system will work
The new fee will be charged for each customs category of goods in the package. For example, if the shipment contains three different categories of products, the buyer will have to pay already 9 euros. If there are several identical goods in the parcel, for example, only clothes or only toys, the fee will be 3 euros.
Thus, the cost of registration will not depend on the number of goods, but on the number of different customs categories in the shipment.
The reason for the changes is the rapid growth of online imports
Preferential treatment for goods worth up to 150 euros has been in effect in the European Union for many years. However, the sharp rise in popularity of Chinese marketplaces has significantly increased the volume of such imports.
If in 2022, about 1.4 billion parcels arrived in the EU countries, then in 2025 this figure will increase to 5.8 billion. This was one of the reasons for revising the customs policy.
Possible consequences for the market and buyers
Experts predict that after the introduction of the new fee, the volume of air transportation of e-commerce goods to Europe may decrease by 10-35% in the coming weeks. This can affect not only the work of large marketplaces, but also the global air logistics market.
In addition, analysts expect price increases for end buyers, as online platforms may partially pass on additional costs to their customers.
The fee will be valid until 2028
The fee introduced is temporary in nature. From July 1, 2028, it is planned to be replaced by a new system of customs clearance, which will work within the framework of the reformed Customs Service of the European Union and will provide for separate rules for different categories of goods.
Ukraine is also preparing changes for import parcels
Similar changes are being prepared in Ukraine. In the fall of 2026, the parliament should consider legislative initiatives to cancel the preferential regime for import parcels worth up to 150 euros, in accordance with the obligations to the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.
In particular, draft laws No. 15112-d and No. 12360 provide for the automatic charging of 20% VAT on purchases in foreign marketplaces, including Amazon, Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, even at the stage of placing an order. However, the proposed changes currently only apply to commercial purchases and do not cover private shipments between individuals, such as volunteer or family parcels.