EU introduces €3 customs charge on small parcels to curb cheap Chinese imports
News Source
•Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:35:27 GMT
📰 What Happened
The European Union is introducing a €3 customs charge on small parcels worth under €150. The charge starts Wednesday. It ends the de minimis exemption that let cheap goods enter the EU without any customs fees. The EU says 90% of these parcels come from China, mostly from online platforms like Temu and Shein.
The number of low-value parcels entering the EU exploded from 1.3 billion in 2022 to 5.9 billion in 2025. That is more than four times as many in just three years. EU officials say this flood of cheap imports is hurting local shops and causing the desertification of city centers.
The new charge is meant to slow down the rapid rise in Chinese imports. EU officials hope it will help protect European retailers and jobs. Consumer groups had warned that EU towns were facing an avalanche of cheap products that local businesses could not compete with.
🔍 The Backstory
The de minimis rule was created for a different era. It let small personal gifts and low-value items pass through customs without paperwork. But online shopping platforms found a loophole. They could ship millions of tiny, cheap items directly to consumers without paying any import duties.
Chinese platforms like Temu and Shein exploded in popularity by selling incredibly cheap products. A t-shirt for $2, a phone case for $1, or a toy for $3. These prices undercut European retailers who have to follow stricter safety and labor rules. Local shops cannot compete with those prices.
The EU's move follows similar actions by other countries. The US has also been looking at ending its de minimis exemption for Chinese goods. Brazil and India have already raised tariffs on cheap imports. The global trend is toward protecting local industries from the flood of low-cost Chinese products sold through online platforms.
🎯 Why It Matters
Those $2 dresses on Temu are cheap because they skip customs. But they hurt local shops and may not meet safety standards. The new €3 fee means slightly higher prices for online shopping, but it helps protect jobs and businesses in your neighborhood.
The European Union is introducing a €3 customs charge on small parcels worth under €150. The charge starts Wednesday. It ends the de minimis exemption that let cheap goods enter the EU without any customs fees. The EU says 90% of these parcels come from China, mostly from online platforms like Temu and Shein.
The number of low-value parcels entering the EU exploded from 1.3 billion in 2022 to 5.9 billion in 2025. That is more than four times as many in just three years. EU officials say this flood of cheap imports is hurting local shops and causing the desertification of city centers.
The new charge is meant to slow down the rapid rise in Chinese imports. EU officials hope it will help protect European retailers and jobs. Consumer groups had warned that EU towns were facing an avalanche of cheap products that local businesses could not compete with.
The de minimis rule was created for a different era. It let small personal gifts and low-value items pass through customs without paperwork. But online shopping platforms found a loophole. They could ship millions of tiny, cheap items directly to consumers without paying any import duties.
Chinese platforms like Temu and Shein exploded in popularity by selling incredibly cheap products. A t-shirt for $2, a phone case for $1, or a toy for $3. These prices undercut European retailers who have to follow stricter safety and labor rules. Local shops cannot compete with those prices.
The EU's move follows similar actions by other countries. The US has also been looking at ending its de minimis exemption for Chinese goods. Brazil and India have already raised tariffs on cheap imports. The global trend is toward protecting local industries from the flood of low-cost Chinese products sold through online platforms.
Those $2 dresses on Temu are cheap because they skip customs. But they hurt local shops and may not meet safety standards. The new €3 fee means slightly higher prices for online shopping, but it helps protect jobs and businesses in your neighborhood.