Brussels – European Union finance ministers have reached an agreement to impose a flat-rate duty of €3 on all small parcels imported into the bloc from outside countries. This new measure, set to take effect on July 1st next year, is specifically aimed at addressing the massive influx of cheap imports primarily facilitated by platforms such as Shein and Temu.
The decision follows the bloc’s recent move to scrap the existing duty exemption for packages valued under €150 that are imported directly to consumers in the 27-nation EU.
Temporary Measure to Combat Unfair Competition
An EU spokesperson confirmed that the €3 fixed fee will be introduced on a temporary basis. It will remain in place until the EU can finalize a permanent, long-term solution for taxing these imports effectively.
The need for action is driven by staggering import figures. Last year alone, 4.6 billion small packages entered the European Union—an average of more than 145 per second—with a significant 91% originating from China. The EU anticipates these numbers will continue to rise.
European retailers have been vocal about the unfair competitive disadvantage they face against overseas platforms like AliExpress, Shein, and Temu, which they argue often fail to comply with the EU’s strict product regulations.
French Victory and Future Plans
The matter has been a priority for France, which received approximately 800 million such packages last year. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure hailed the flat tax agreement as “a major victory for the European Union.”
“Europe is taking concrete steps to protect its single market, its consumers and its sovereignty,” Lescure stated, linking the measure to the EU’s broader efforts to bolster European competitiveness.
In addition to ending the duty exemption and introducing the €3 tax, the EU executive had previously proposed a separate small package handling fee worth €2 in May. While member states have yet to agree on the exact level of this handling fee, they aim for its implementation by late 2026.
