The European Union plans to introduce new customs duties on cheap goods that depart from Chinese online stores, such as AliExpress, Temu, Shein and others. Currently, such parcels of less than 150 euros are released from import duties. However, the new initiative is aimed at changing this practice, which can significantly affect consumers and sellers in the EU.
About it reports Financial Times (FT). According to sources of the publication, the European Commission (EC) plans to cancel the threshold of 150 euros at all, below which China's goods are exempt from duties.
It is noted that the EC in this way wants to stop the "flow of poor quality goods" from China. They estimated that in 2023 the EU residents received 2.3 billion goods worth below 150 euros. Among the products with the biggest security problems, according to the EC, are cosmetics, toys, electrical appliances and clothing.
According to one of the European officials, the main platforms that concern the European Commission were the online Marketplats of TEMU and Aliexpress. Also under the sight was a retailer SHEIN clothing.
For example, the European industry group Toy Industries of Europe stated that it bought 19 TEMU toys and found that none of them meets the EU standards, and 18 at all pose a "real threat to safety" for children. Temu then replied that all 19 goods were no longer available for purchase.
However, new rules plan to apply to all online stores that deliver goods to customers to the EU directly from outside the block. The restrictions will not affect American Amazon because it usually uses warehouses and sellers based on the EU.
The decision has not yet been made. In addition, it may face opposition within the EU itself. In particular, according to another FT source, the new mode will increase the load on the already overloaded customs.
