The EU is introducing a new fee on small international packages
The European Union is changing the rules for small international shipments. Starting July 1, packages valued at up to 150 euros will no longer be covered by the de minimis exemption, which previously allowed goods to be imported without paying customs duties.
The new rules may affect the cost of purchases on popular online platforms that offer international shipping.
The change primarily affects goods from popular Chinese marketplaces, particularly Temu and Shein, which have rapidly increased their sales in Europe in recent years.
Previously, consumers could purchase goods worth up to 150 euros—including clothing, cosmetics, and toys—without paying any customs duties under the “de minimis” tariff exemption, which means “too small to matter.” Now the situation will change:
- a 3-euro fee will be charged on small commercial packages;
- the duty-free exemption for goods worth up to 150 euros is being abolished;
- sellers will have to file customs declarations even for small shipments.
It is known that the number of low-cost packages entering the EU has more than quadrupled—from 1.3 billion in 2022 to 5.9 billion in 2025. About 90% of these packages come from China, and competition from online platforms, including Shein and Temu, is hitting European retailers hard.
Product safety is also an issue
Another reason for the stricter regulations was the results of inspections of imported products. A European Union study showed that 60% of goods purchased online from outside the bloc do not meet European safety requirements.
The highest number of violations was found among:
- Cosmetics—65% of products did not meet standards;
- Toys – also 65%;
- Food supplements – 63%;
- Personal protective equipment – 60%.
EU officials hope that a 3-euro tax will make some consumers think twice, especially when purchasing very low-cost items. But the main hope lies in restoring a level playing field for small businesses and retailers in Europe,
the publication writes.
Incidentally, Chinese online platforms such as Temu and AliExpress are also actively entering the Ukrainian market. Foreign platforms effectively operate in Ukraine without a physical presence—they simply sell goods directly to Ukrainians by shipping packages from abroad.
The volume of such purchases is already enormous: according to market estimates, Ukrainians order approximately 170 billion hryvnias worth of foreign goods each year. And this figure is growing rapidly—by more than 50% annually.
As a result, the government is losing about 34 billion hryvnias in VAT revenue.
Now, a new fee of 3 euros will be imposed on such shipments, according to The Guardian.
As a reminder, the European Commission fined Temu 200 million euros.
France has filed a lawsuit against AliExpress and Joom over sex dolls modeled after children.
Previously, AliExpress violated EU rules regarding illegal goods.
