The End of Cheap Imports: EU Imposes New Duties on Temu, Shein, and AliExpress

Starting July 1, the European Union will eliminate duty exemptions for small parcels from non-EU countries, introducing a flat three-euro tariff per item to curb the influx of low-cost Asian goods.

A Significant Shift in EU Customs Policy

Shoppers accustomed to duty-free imports from China will face a major change this July. Current exemptions for shipments valued under 150 euros from outside the European Union are expiring, to be replaced by a temporary 3-euro customs duty per item.

The European Commission aims to stem the tide of cheap Asian imports that have flooded the European market, bypassing traditional trade regulations intended for an era when online shopping was a niche activity.

Closing Regulatory Loopholes

Data from the Commission reveals that in 2025 alone, 5.9 billion low-value products entered the EU duty-free. These items accounted for 97 percent of import volume but only 2 percent of total value, often due to companies splitting orders to stay under the 150-euro threshold.

Beyond fiscal concerns, many of these products, including toys, cosmetics, and safety gear, failed to meet EU health and safety standards, posing risks to unsuspecting consumers.

Operational Realities of the New Tariff

Customs authorities, currently overwhelmed by 16 million parcels daily, will implement the 3-euro fee per item until July 2028, at which point a comprehensive customs reform and electronic trade data center will be fully operational.

While the Commission states that platforms will absorb these costs, they acknowledge that prices for consumers will likely increase. Additionally, a new handling fee for customs processing is expected to be introduced this November.