Ordering cut-price fashion or gadgets from Asia? It’s about to get more expensive.
The European Union has given the green light to a new €3 charge on small parcels worth under €150 – the kind typically bought on platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress.
The levy comes into force on July 1 and will apply to all non-EU sellers registered under the bloc’s Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) VAT system.
According to the European Commission, that covers 93% of all e-commerce flows into Europe.
Why now?
Brussels says the move is designed to tackle what it sees as unfair competition and growing risks linked to fraud, unsafe goods and consumer protection.
It’s officially a temporary measure until a broader customs reform kicks in in 2028, though it could be extended if that overhaul is delayed.
The €3 charge applies per product category within a parcel.
So if your delivery includes, say, a silk blouse and two wool jumpers, that counts as two categories. The result would be a €6 surcharge on one small package.
12 million parcels a day
The scale is eye-watering. In 2024 alone, nearly 4.6 billion low-cost parcels entered the EU – around 12 million a day – all previously exempt from customs duties because they were valued under €150.
Consumer group Facua-Consumidores en Accion says the money raised should be reinvested into tighter market controls and inspections to prevent dangerous or fraudulent products reaching European buyers.
Will shoppers change habits?
A recent study by Cetelem suggests the new charge could shift buying behaviour.
According to its survey of 1,000 adults in Spain:
- 56% say they will shop less on Asian e-commerce platforms once the tax comes in.
- 18% will carry on as normal.
- 19% will look for alternatives.
- Just 8% say they’ll stop buying from them entirely.
When asked about tougher EU regulation to protect consumers, local businesses and the environment, 43% said they supported the move. Around 31% opposed it, while 26% remained neutral.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
