A €3 customs duty is reshaping the flow of cheap online purchases into Europe. According to Euronews, French customs figures cited by France’s economy ministry show that small-parcel imports into the EU have fallen by 30% to 40% since the charge began on 1 July.
The duty applies to consignments worth €150 or less and is charged per product category, rather than simply once per parcel. These low-value shipments were previously exempt from customs duties.
A sharp shift in sales
Færre småforsendelser over EU's grænse behøver ikke betyde, at varerne kommer fra andre lande.
Euronews reports that sales volumes fell between June and July by 50% on Temu and 37% on AliExpress. Shein recorded a smaller decline of 15%. The French government views the wider import slowdown as evidence that regulation can influence consumer behaviour and challenge major Chinese platforms.
The scale behind the intervention is substantial. In 2025, 5.9 billion low-value items entered the EU, according to the report. Brussels argues that the previous system disadvantaged European retailers.
Safety is another concern. A 2025 EU survey found that more than 60% of inspected low-value products failed to meet European requirements or safety standards. That finding concerns inspected goods, not necessarily every product entering the market.
What happens next?
The duty is temporary, preceding a broader reform of the European customs system in 2028. Additional parcel-handling fees could follow as early as November, Euronews reports.
For now, the figures indicate a slowdown, not a settled outcome. Platforms may adjust their prices or logistics, leaving open whether Europe has permanently changed the market or disrupted its current model.