According to the European Commission, last year 2.3 billion goods were imported into the EU whose price was below the duty-free threshold of 150 euros.
The EU intends to introduce import duties on all goods from Chinese Temu, Aliexpress and Shein, writes the Financial Times.
At issue are plans to scrap the 150-euro threshold below which imported goods are exempt from customs duties, to prevent an influx of what the EU calls substandard goods from China.
The main platforms targeted by these events are the Chinese online platforms Temu and AliExpress, as well as the clothing retail chain Shein.
According to the European Commission, last year 2.3 billion goods were imported into the EU whose price was below the duty-free threshold of 150 euros.
Imports of e-commerce goods more than doubled from last year to more than 350,000 items in April – nearly two purchases per household.
The provisions will reportedly apply to any online retailer that delivers goods to EU customers directly from outside the bloc. The American company Amazon usually uses sellers based in Europe.
The option of mandatory registration of large platforms for paying VAT online, regardless of cost, is also being considered.
From 2021, VAT is paid on parcels addressed to EU companies, regardless of value, but they are not subject to duty.
The publication said it may be difficult to reach an agreement with the EU because the new regime will increase the burden on already overworked customs officials.
It noted that the number of dangerous products from China reported by EU countries increased by more than 50% from 2022 to 2023 to more than 3,400.
Products with the most safety issues include cosmetics, toys, electrical appliances and clothing.
We remind you that in the spring of this year the EU started an investigation into AliExpress.
Source: korrespondent
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