Overview

• 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.