Shock for Cheap Online Shopping: EU to Tax TEMU and SHEIN Orders from the First Euro!

A major shake-up in online shopping is coming as the European Union prepares new rules for small parcels valued under €150, mainly from China. According to the recent agreement by EU finance ministers at Ecofin, starting in 2026, tariffs will be applied from the very first euro, ending the system that allowed small packages to enter duty-free.

The move aims to reduce unfair competition and protect European consumers, while serving as a temporary framework until 2028, when the EU’s unified customs system is expected to be fully operational.

At Ecofin, Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis took a clear stance in favor of eliminating the €150 threshold, arguing that the measure is critical for transparency in e-commerce, ensuring fair competition, and protecting consumers. He aligned with France, advocating for early implementation from early 2026.

European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis emphasized the need for fair rules in e-commerce, noting that the massive volume of low-cost goods shipped directly to European consumers requires a more functional and comprehensive regulatory framework.

The figures presented are revealing: up to 65% of small parcels are declared at lower value than their actual worth, while 91% of shipments under €150 entering the EU last year came from China. Many companies split orders into smaller parcels to avoid customs, a practice that significantly increases packaging waste and emissions.

The reform will be fully implemented by 2028 with the launch of the EU Customs Data Hub, a new electronic platform for automatic calculation of customs duties on every imported item. Once operational, it will permanently eliminate the current rule that allows goods under €150 to enter duty-free.

In Greece, the change affects one of the fastest-growing segments of e-commerce. With an average parcel value of about €25, small parcels imported last year generated an estimated €627 million, nearly 21% of the total online market, meaning 1 in 5 euros spent online by Greek consumers goes to non-EU platforms.

According to the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ESEE), Greece ranked among the top European markets for TEMU and SHEIN in 2023–2024, with each platform recording approximately 2.7 million active monthly users in the first half of 2025.

A similar approach has been taken by the United States, which in May eliminated its de minimis exemption for goods from China and Hong Kong valued under €800, aiming to combat unfair competition and protect domestic markets.

The EU’s new policy is expected to shake up low-cost imports, forcing both European consumers and businesses to adapt to a new reality in e-commerce, where transparency, fairness, and environmental concerns will take center stage.

Source: pagenews.gr