EU Targets Chinese Imports With €3 Fee on Small Parcels
European producers and retailers have increasingly complained about the massive inflow of duty-free imports.
Quick overview
- The European Union will impose a €3 levy on small parcels valued below €150 starting July 1.
- This measure aims to address the influx of low-cost packages from Asian e-commerce platforms, particularly from China.
- The levy is a temporary solution while the EU seeks a permanent strategy to manage the issue of duty-free imports.
- French Finance Minister Roland Lescure hailed the tax as a significant victory for the EU.
The measure will take effect on July 1 and marks the first of several steps the bloc plans to take to curb the surge in such orders.
European Union finance ministers agreed on Friday to impose a €3 ($3.50) levy on all small parcels entering the bloc starting July 1. The measure will apply to shipments valued below €150 ($174).
The decision aims to rein in the flood of low-cost packages sent by Asian e-commerce platforms such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress. About a month ago, finance officials from the EU’s 27 member states approved the removal of the long-standing tariff exemption for these shipments.
European producers and retailers have increasingly complained about the massive inflow of duty-free imports, which they view as unfair competition. In many cases, they also argue that these products fail to meet EU regulatory standards.
In 2024 alone, roughly 4.6 billion parcels worth less than €150 entered the European market—equivalent to more than 145 packages per second. Of that total, 91% originated in China.
Seeking a permanent solution
According to an EU spokesperson, the €3 levy is a temporary measure and only the first step, to remain in place until the bloc develops a permanent solution to address the issue.
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure welcomed the new tax, calling it a “major victory for the European Union.”
Starting in November 2026, the measure is expected to be complemented by handling fees on the same low-value shipments. In May, Brussels proposed setting those fees at €2 per parcel.
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