EU Proposes Holding E-Commerce Giants Liable for Unsafe and Illegal Goods

New rules would require platforms like Amazon, Shein, and Temu to ensure compliance with EU standards and disclose product details before import.

The European Union is drafting regulations to hold online marketplaces accountable for dangerous, counterfeit, or illegal goods sold on their platforms.
Proposed changes would shift liability from individual importers to platforms like Amazon, Shein, and Temu, requiring them to ensure compliance with EU safety and legal standards.
The draft includes measures to abolish import duty exemptions for goods under €150 and impose handling fees on low-value packages, with over 90% of such parcels currently originating from China.
A new EU customs authority (EUCA) would centralize customs data and oversee inspections to better track and manage imports before they reach the EU.
The regulations follow concerns under the Digital Services Act and investigations into platforms' safety practices, including findings that a significant percentage of toys and other goods fail to meet EU standards.