Overview
- The European Commission has proposed a €2 fee on each low-value parcel entering the EU, to be paid by online platforms.
- The fee applies to parcels worth less than €150, which are currently exempt from customs duties under a 2010 rule.
- In 2024, 4.6 billion such parcels entered the EU, with 91% originating from China, straining customs operations.
- The measure seeks to fund overwhelmed customs checks, ensure consumer safety, and level the playing field for EU-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
- Revenue from the fee is expected to partly contribute to the EU budget, with negotiations on allocation and enforcement now underway.