Overview
- EU finance ministers reached a political deal to remove the €150 duty-free rule for low-value imports and to design a simplified temporary customs fee.
- Maroš Šefčovič urged a rollout in Q1 2026, arguing that delays preserve an unfair edge for platforms such as Temu and Shein.
- Ministers plan to submit the interim scheme for approval at the Dec. 12 meeting, with European Parliament sign-off still required.
- Roughly 4.6 billion small parcels entered the EU last year, about 91% from China, prompting concerns over safety checks and undervaluation.
- National actions are mounting as Romania imposes a €5 fee and France announces a handling fee and suspends Shein access, with Belgium and the Netherlands weighing similar steps.