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EU Proposes Handling Fee on Low-Value Imports, Drawing Criticism from China

The €2 and €0.50 fees aim to offset customs costs, enforce safety standards, and address competition concerns, pending approval by EU member states and Parliament.

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A woman leaves a pop-up store of Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein in Paris, France, May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo
European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium March 18, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
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Overview

  • The European Commission has proposed a €2 fee for direct-to-consumer parcels under €150 and €0.50 for shipments routed through EU warehouses.
  • This measure is part of a broader customs reform to centralize EU customs operations and modernize IT infrastructure, planned to begin next year.
  • The fee would remove the duty-free status of low-value imports, with platforms like Shein and Temu required to pay the levy instead of consumers.
  • China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally objected, urging the EU to ensure a fair and non-discriminatory trade environment.
  • Brussels anticipates generating approximately €3 billion annually from the fees to fund customs operations and support the EU budget.